Age-related fertility decline: is there a role for elective ovarian tissue cryopreservation?

Age-related fertility decline (ARFD) is a prevalent concern amongst western cultures due to the increasing age of first-time motherhood. Elective oocyte and embryo cryopreservation remain the most established methods of fertility preservation, providing women the opportunity of reproductive autonomy to preserve their fertility and extend their childbearing years to prevent involuntary childlessness. Whilst ovarian cortex cryopreservation has been used to preserve reproductive potential in women for medical reasons, such as in pre- or peripubertal girls undergoing gonadotoxic chemotherapy, it has not yet been considered in the context of ARFD. As artificial reproductive technology (ART) and surgical methods of fertility preservation continue to evolve, it is a judicious time to review current evidence and consider alternative options for women wishing to delay their fertility. This article critically appraises elective oocyte cryopreservation as an option for women who use it to mitigate the risk of ARFD and introduces the prospect of elective ovarian cortex cryopreservation as an alternative

Diagnostic delay for superficial and deep endometriosis in the United Kingdom

A Cross-sectional study was undertaken at a specialist centre in the United Kingdom investigating duration and causes of delay in the diagnosis of endometriosis. One hundred and one women completed a self-reported questionnaire containing 20 items about their psychosocial, symptoms and experiences. The statistical analysis included a Mann-Whitney U test. A p value of .05 was considered statistically significant. The Spearman’s rank correlation was also calculated. Overall, there was a median delay of 8 years (Q1–Q3: 3–14) from the onset of symptoms to a diagnosis of endometriosis. Factors such as menstrual cramps in adolescence, presence of rectovaginal endometriosis, normalisation of pain and the attitudes of health professionals contributed to a delayed diagnosis (p values<.05). There was a negative correlation indicating the earlier the onset of symptoms, the greater the delay to diagnosis (Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient –0.63, p<.01). The results of this study highlight a considerable diagnostic delay associated with endometriosis and the need for clinician education and public awareness.Impact statement What is already known on this subject? The diagnostic delay of 7–9 years with endometriosis has been reported globally. In an effort to standardise surgical treatment, improve outcomes, and shorten delays specialist endometriosis centres were introduced in 2011. There has been no recent quality improvement assessment since the establishment of such centres. What do the results of this study add? This is the most recent evaluation in the United Kingdom since the introduction of specialist endometriosis centres. There is a considerable diagnostic delay associated endometriosis in the United Kingdom with a median of 8 years. The delays seem not to have improved over the last two decades. We have identified medical and psychosocial factors that may contribute to such delays. These include factors such as menstrual cramps in adolescence, presence of rectovaginal endometriosis, normalisation of pain and attitudes of health professionals contribute to a delayed diagnosis. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The results of this study, highlight the need for clinician education and public awareness to decrease the long term-morbidity and complications that result from untreated endometriosis

Laparoscopic vs Transvaginal Cuff Closure after Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized Trial by the Italian Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Vaginal cuff dehiscence following hysterectomy is considered an infrequent but potentially devastating complication. Different possible techniques for cuff closure have been proposed to reduce this threatening adverse event.OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present randomized study was to compare laparoscopic and transvaginal suture of the vaginal vault at the end of a total laparoscopic hysterectomy, in terms of incidence of vaginal dehiscence and vaginal cuff complications. Factors associated with vaginal dehiscence were also analyzed. This article presents the results of the interim analysis of the trial.STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications were randomized at the time of colpotomy to receive vaginal closure through transvaginal vs laparoscopic approach using a 1:1 ratio. Allocation concealment was obtained using a password-protected randomization database. Monopolar energy for colpotomy was set at 60W. Vaginal closure was performed with a single-layer running braided and coated 0-polyglactin suture. In all cases an attempt was performed to include the posterior peritoneum in the suture. Laparoscopic knots were tied intracorporeally. All patients were scheduled for a postoperative follow-up visit 3 months after surgery, to detect possible vaginal cuff complications. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of vaginal cuff dehiscence after total laparoscopic hysterectomy.RESULTS: After enrollment of 1408 patients, a prespecified interim analysis was conducted. Thirteen (0.9%) women did not undergo the postoperative assessment and were excluded. Baseline characteristics of the 1395 patients included (695 in the transvaginal group and 700 in the laparoscopic group) were similar between groups. Patients in the transvaginal group had a significantly higher incidence of vaginal dehiscence (2.7% vs 1%; odds ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-6.63; P = .01) and of any cuff complication (9.8% vs 4.7%; odds ratio, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-3.37; P = .0003). Based on these findings, the data monitoring committee recommended that the trial be terminated early. After multivariable analysis, transvaginal closure of the vault was independently associated with a higher incidence of vaginal dehiscence and any vaginal complication; premenopausal status and smoking habit were independently associated with a higher risk of dehiscence.CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic closure of the vaginal cuff at the end of total laparoscopic hysterectomy is associated with a significant reduction of vaginal dehiscence, any cuff complication, vaginal bleeding, vaginal cuff hematoma, postoperative infection, need for vaginal resuture, and reintervention

Laparoscopic vs transvaginal cuff closure after total laparoscopic hysterectomy: a randomized trial by the Italian Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy

BACKGROUND: Vaginal cuff dehiscence following hysterectomy is considered an infrequent but potentially devastating complication. Different possible techniques for cuff closure have been proposed to reduce this threatening adverse event.OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present randomized study was to compare laparoscopic and transvaginal suture of the vaginal vault at the end of a total laparoscopic hysterectomy, in terms of incidence of vaginal dehiscence and vaginal cuff complications. Factors associated with vaginal dehiscence were also analyzed. This article presents the results of the interim analysis of the trial.STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications were randomized at the time of colpotomy to receive vaginal closure through transvaginal vs laparoscopic approach using a 1:1 ratio. Allocation concealment was obtained using a password-protected randomization database. Monopolar energy for colpotomy was set at 60W. Vaginal closure was performed with a single-layer running braided and coated 0-polyglactin suture. In all cases an attempt was performed to include the posterior peritoneum in the suture. Laparoscopic knots were tied intracorporeally. All patients were scheduled for a postoperative follow-up visit 3 months after surgery, to detect possible vaginal cuff complications. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of vaginal cuff dehiscence after total laparoscopic hysterectomy.RESULTS: After enrollment of 1408 patients, a prespecified interim analysis was conducted. Thirteen (0.9%) women did not undergo the postoperative assessment and were excluded. Baseline characteristics of the 1395 patients included (695 in the transvaginal group and 700 in the laparoscopic group) were similar between groups. Patients in the transvaginal group had a significantly higher incidence of vaginal dehiscence (2.7% vs 1%; odds ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-6.63; P = .01) and of any cuff complication (9.8% vs 4.7%; odds ratio, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-3.37; P = .0003). Based on these findings, the data monitoring committee recommended that the trial be terminated early. After multivariable analysis, transvaginal closure of the vault was independently associated with a higher incidence of vaginal dehiscence and any vaginal complication; premenopausal status and smoking habit were independently associated with a higher risk of dehiscence.CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic closure of the vaginal cuff at the end of total laparoscopic hysterectomy is associated with a significant reduction of vaginal dehiscence, any cuff complication, vaginal bleeding, vaginal cuff hematoma, postoperative infection, need for vaginal resuture, and reintervention

The effect of a uterine manipulator on the recurrence and mortality of endometrial cancer: a multi-centric study by the Italian Society of Gynecological Endoscopy

Background Although widely adopted, the use of a uterine manipulator during laparoscopic treatment of endometrial cancer represents a debated issue, and some authors hypothesize that it potentially may cause an increased risk of relapse, particularly at specific sites. Objective Our aim was to evaluate the risk and site of disease recurrence, overall survival, and disease-specific survival in women who had laparoscopic surgery with and without the use of a uterine manipulator. Study Design Data were reviewed from consecutive patients who had laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer staging in 7 Italian centers. Subjects were stratified according to whether a uterine manipulator was used during surgery; if so, the type of manipulator was identified. Multivariable analysis to correct for possible confounders and propensity score that matched the minimize selection bias were utilized. The primary outcome was the risk of disease recurrence. Secondary outcomes were disease-specific and overall survival and the site of recurrence, according to the use or no use of the uterine manipulator and to the different types of manipulators used. Results We included 951 patients: 579 patients in the manipulator group and 372 patients in the no manipulator group. After a median follow-up period of 46 months (range,12\ue2\u80\u93163 months), the rate of recurrence was 13.5% and 11.6% in the manipulator and no manipulator groups, respectively (P=.37). Positive lymph nodes and myometrial invasion of >50% were associated independently with the risk of recurrence after adjustment for possible confounders. The use of a uterine manipulator did not affect the risk of recurrence, both at univariate (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.80\ue2\u80\u931.77) and multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.60\ue2\u80\u931.70). Disease-free, disease-specific, and overall survivals were similar between groups. Propensity-matched analysis confirmed these findings. The site of recurrence was comparable between groups. In addition, the type of uterine manipulator and the presence or not of a balloon at the tip of the device were not associated significantly with the risk of recurrence. Conclusion The use of a uterine manipulator during laparoscopic surgery does not affect the risk of recurrence and has no impact on disease-specific or overall survival and on the site of recurrence in women affected by endometrial cancer