Implementation of an enhanced recovery protocol in gynecologic oncology.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) is an evidence-based approach that aims to reduce narcotic use and maintain anabolic balance to enable full functional recovery. Our primary aim was to determine the effect of ERAS on narcotic usage among patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy by gynecologic oncologists. We characterized its effect on length of stay, intraoperative blood transfusions, bowel function, 30-day readmissions, and postoperative complications. A retrospective cohort study was performed at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health in gynecologic oncology. Women who underwent an exploratory laparotomy from 2011 to 2016 for both benign and malignant etiologies were included before and after implementation of our ERAS protocol. Patients who underwent a bowel resection were excluded. A total of 724 patients were included: 360 in the non-ERAS and 364 in the ERAS cohort. An overall reduction in narcotic usage, measured as oral morphine milliequivalents (MMEs) was observed in the ERAS relative to the non-ERAS group, during the entire hospital stay (MME 34 versus 68, p \u3c 0.001 and within 72 h postoperatively (MME 34 versus 60, p \u3c 0.005). A shorter length of stay and earlier return of bowel function were also observed in the ERAS group. No differences in 30-day readmissions (p = 0.967) or postoperative complications (p = 0.328) were observed. This study demonstrated the benefits of ERAS in Gynecologic Oncology. A significant reduction of postoperative narcotic use, earlier return of bowel function and a shorter postoperative hospital stay was seen in the ERAS compared to traditional perioperative care

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor in an adult woman during pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature

Objective: To report a case of stage IIIB juvenile granulosa cell tumor (JGCT) complicating pregnancy in a 33 year-old (y.o.) woman. Methods: Retrospective review of the clinical data, imaging studies, and pathology reports of a case of JGCT diagnosed during pregnancy. Patient consent was obtained for review and presentation of the case. A literature review was conducted. Results: A 33 y.o., gravida 3, para 1 was incidentally found to have an 8 cm left ovarian mass on an anatomy scan at 22 weeks gestation. Four days later, she presented to labor and delivery triage with abdominal pain. An ultrasound revealed an 11 cm heterogeneous, solid mass in the left adnexa and free fluid at this level. The diagnosis of degenerating fibroid was made based on her clinical presentation and she was discharged. A follow up outpatient MRI revealed a 15 cm left ovarian mass consistent with a primary malignant ovarian neoplasm with moderate ascites and omental, left cul de sac, and probable paracolic gutter implantation. She re-presented 2 weeks later with an acute abdomen and was admitted for a gynecologic oncology consult. Pre-op tumor markers showed an elevated inhibin B. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy, left salpingo-oophorectomy, omental biopsy, and small bowel resection at 25 weeks gestation. Intra-op findings included a ruptured tumor and metastases. Tumor reductive surgery was completed to R0. Pathology revealed a JGCT, FIGO stage IIIB. The pathology and management were reviewed in collaboration with an outside institution. Chemotherapy was delayed until after delivery with monthly MRI surveillance. She underwent induction of labor at 37 weeks followed by an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. She received 3 cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin starting six weeks postpartum. Last known contact was over five years after the initial diagnosis with no evidence of recurrent disease. Conclusion: JGCTs account for 5% of granulosa cell tumors and 3% are diagnosed after age 30. JGCT is an uncommon neoplasm in pregnancy. 90% are stage I at diagnosis, but advanced stage tumors are aggressive often resulting in recurrence or death within 3 years of diagnosis. We present a surgically treated case with delay in chemotherapy until after delivery with a good outcome after 5 years of follow up

Cyclosporin A Reverses Chemoresistance in Patients With Gynecologic Malignancies

Multidrug resistance is a major obstacle in successful systemic therapy of gynecologic malignancies. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the activity of cyclosporin A used to overcome drug resistance in a variety of gynecologic malignancies. Forty women (29 with ovarian cancer, 7 with uterine cancer, 3 with cervical cancer, and 1 with choriocarcinoma) were treated with cyclosporin A, 4 mg/kg intravenously, 6 hours before and 18 hours after the specific chemotherapeutic agent, to which the tumor had developed drug resistance. All patients had shown resistance to the chemotherapy agent used in combination with cyclosporin A. All patients had been heavily pretreated (mean, 2.8 previous chemotherapy regimens). Overall, among 38 available patients with gynecologic malignancies, a 29% objective response rate was observed. Twenty-six (65%) of all patients received three or more cycles of cyclosporin A. There was a 25% response rate for patients with ovarian cancer patients and 50% for those with uterine cancer. There were no responses among the three patients with cervical cancer, and the patient with choriocarcinoma had a complete response. All patients were evaluable for toxicity. Leukopenia and nausea were the most common toxic reactions, but in most cases they were transient, and only three patients required a treatment delay. The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicity was thrombocytopenia, which was observed in 22% of the patients. Cyclosporin A is well tolerated and has significant potential for reversal of chemoresistance in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian and uterine malignancies