The aim of this descriptive review is to summarise the current knowledge of non-invasive bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) used with gynaecological surgical patients in regard to postoperative development of lymphoedema and determination of perioperative fluid balance, and as a prognostic factor in cancer mortality and a predictor of postoperative complications. The databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and reference lists of selected articles were searched for relevant articles published during the period January 2008-April 2018. Only papers published in English were retrieved. Thirty-seven articles were evaluated. Where gynaecological studies were lacking, studies with a study population from neighbouring clinical fields were used instead. Studies on the clinical use of BIA with gynaecological surgical patients were divided into three categories: the postoperative development of lower limb lymphoedema (n = 7), perioperative hydration measuring (n = 3), and the BIA parameter phase angle as a prognostic factor in cancer survival and as predictive for postoperative complications (n = 6). Of these 16 studies only three used a pure gynaecological study population. Three different methods of BIA were used in these articles: single frequency-BIA, multifrequency-BIA and bioimpedance spectroscopy. BIA was found to detect lymphoedema with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 84%. Studies indicated that BIA was able to detect lower limb lymphoedema at an early stage even before it became clinically detectable. During postoperative hydration measurements, an increase in extracellular fluid volume and extracellular fluid volume in relation to total body fluid volume, as well as a decrease in phase angle, were associated with higher frequencies of postoperative complications. Moreover, low values for the phase angle have been associated with increased mortality in cancer patients. However, the number of studies in this field was limited. From our review, BIA seems to be a useful tool for use in the clinical setting of the gynaecological surgical patient. The theoretical approach of using bioelectrical impedance values to measure the fluid distribution in the body compartments offers wide opportunities in the clinical setting. However, so far, all studies have set up cut-off limits within the study population, and reference values for a general population need to be defined. There are also rather few studies on a gynaecological study population. Hence, there is a need for further studies within gynaecological surgery focusing on early detection of lower limb lymphoedema, perioperative fluid balance, and postoperative complications in order to establish the value of BIA in clinical praxis. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Introduction: Hysterectomy is the most common major gynecological operation in the Western World and approximately 5000 benign hysterectomies are performed in Sweden every year. Consequently it is a surgical procedure that affects many women. The procedure comprises challenges concerning perioperative health care, perceived postoperative symptoms, quality of life aspects and health economics. The concept of fast track is a multimodal strategy to reduce hormonal surgical stress response and achieve an enhanced postoperative recovery and is today considered to be evidence based in relation to colorectal surgery. Spinal anesthesia, as an important part of fast track, provides benefits of extended effect on analgesia and reduced postoperative morbidity. It is reasonable to believe that employing the strategies of fast track including spinal anesthesia could also provide substantial benefits for women requiring surgical removal of the uterus.

Aims: To determine whether duration of hospital stay, presence and intensity of postoperative symptoms, duration of sick leave and cost-effectiveness differ between women undergoing benign fast track abdominal hysterectomy in spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine (SA) and in standard general anesthesia (GA).

Material & Methods: 180 women participated in this open randomized multicenter study with five participating hospitals in the southeast region of Sweden. One hundred and sixty two completed the study; 82 women were randomized to SA and 80 to GA. A fast track model comprising premedication without sedatives, intravenous fluid regulation, analgesics based on non-opioids, pre-emptive antiemetic therapy, early enteral nutrition and mobilization and standard criteria for discharge were used. End points were duration of hospital stay, use of analgesics, perceived postoperative symptoms, occurrence of postoperative complications, duration of sick leave and health economic evaluations.

Results: Duration of hospital stay did not differ between the two modes of anesthesia. Vomiting and pruritus occurred significantly more often after SA. Complication rates did not differ between groups. Women with SA experienced less overall discomfort and had a reduced need for opioids postoperatively. Abdominal pain, drowsiness and fatigue occurred less often and with lower intensity among the women in the SA group. Health related quality of life improved faster and the duration of sick leave was shorter in women after SA. Total costs (hospital costs plus costs for productivity loss) were lower for the SA group. Within the first 29 days after hysterectomy the women in the SA group gained more QALYs than women in the GA group.

Conclusions: The duration of hospitalisation after fast track abdominal hysterectomy was less than 50 hours and mode of anesthesia did not influence this. SA displayed considerable advantages regarding postoperative symptoms and recovery. SA was considered cost-effective in comparison with GA due to lower total costs and more QALYs gained. Our study indicates that SA should be recommended as the first choice of anesthesia in benign abdominal hysterectomy.

IntroductionThe objectives were to establish the prevalence of persistent vaginal bleeding following subtotal hysterectomy, to analyze the effect of intraoperative cervical treatment on the occurrence of persistent vaginal bleeding, and to evaluate the impact of persistent vaginal bleeding on the patient-reported opinion concerning result of surgery and medical condition. Material and methodsRetrospective study with data from the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery including 5240 women undergoing subtotal hysterectomy for benign conditions between January 2004 and June 2016. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the pre- and perioperative forms. Data concerning occurrence of persistent vaginal bleeding, rating of medical condition and contentment with result of surgery were collected from the 1-year inquiry form. Statistical analyses were performed with multivariable logistic regression models. The results are presented as adjusted odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals. ResultsPersistent vaginal bleeding occurred in 18.6%. Intraoperative cervical treatment did not affect the frequency of persistent vaginal bleeding (adjusted odds ratio 1.48; 95% confidence interval 0.93-2.37). More than 90% were satisfied with the result of the hysterectomy, but women with persistent vaginal bleeding were less content compared with those without persistent vaginal bleeding (adjusted odds ratio 0.42; 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.67). The self-perception of the medical condition did not differ between the women with and without persistent vaginal bleeding (adjusted odds ratio 1.16; 95% confidence interval 0.33-4.12). ConclusionsNearly two in ten women may expect persistent vaginal bleeding following subtotal hysterectomy, and cervical treatment intraoperatively did not affect this. More than 90% were satisfied with the result but women with persistent vaginal bleeding were less content. Preoperative information on this risk of persistent vaginal bleeding may be important when choosing hysterectomy technique.

A subtotal hysterectomy implies retaining the cervix. Women who undergo this procedure are more likely to present with persistent vaginal bleeding (PVB) after surgery. To prevent subsequent vaginal bleeding, intraoperative cervical treatment (electrosurgical cauterization or resection) has been recommended. However, there is insufficient evidence demonstrating the efficacy of this treatment. The aims of this retrospective register study were to (1) establish the prevalence of PVB 1 year after subtotal hysterectomy, (2) analyze the effect of intraoperative cervical treatment during the subtotal hysterectomy on the occurrence of PVB, and (3) assess the impact of PVB on the patients self-reported assessment of her medical condition and satisfaction with the hysterectomy 1 year after surgery. Data were obtained fromthe SwedishNational Register for Gynecological Surgery for a cohort of women who underwent subtotal hysterectomy for benign conditions between January 2004 and June 2016. Preoperative and perioperative forms were collected to obtain demographic and clinical data. The 1-year inquiry form was used to collect data on occurrence of PVB, rating of medical condition, and satisfaction with surgical results. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess outcome measures. The prevalence of PVB following subtotal hysterectomy was 18.6%. Intraoperative treatment of the cervix at the time of the subtotal hysterectomy did not affect the frequency of PVB; the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 1.48, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.93 to 2.37. Althoughmore than 90% of women were satisfied or very satisfied with the surgical results, those experiencing bleeding episodes 1 year after the subtotal hysterectomy were significantly less content with the result of the surgery (aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.26-0.67). There was no difference in self-perception of the medical condition 1 year after the surgery between women with and without PVB; the aOR was 1.16 with a 95% CI of 0.33 to 4.12. These data show that nearly 2 in 10 women may expect PVB following subtotal hysterectomy and that intraoperative cervical treatment does not affect the prevalence of bleeding. Although more than 90% of patients are satisfied with the results of surgery, women with PVB are less content. When choosing hysterectomy technique, information on the risk of PVB may be important. Subtotal hysterectomy may not be an option for women not willing to accept this risk.

Fast-track is a multimodal strategy aimed at reducing the physiological burden of surgery to achieve an enhanced postoperative recovery. The strategy combines unimodal evidence-based interventions in the areas of preoperative preparation, anesthesia, surgical factors and postoperative care. The advantages of fast-track most likely extend to gynecology, although so far have scarcely been reported. This review summarizes current evidence concerning use of fast-track in general and in gynecological surgery. The main findings of this review are that there are benefits within elective gynecological surgery, but studies of quality of life, patient satisfaction and health economics in elective surgery are needed. Studies of fast-track within the field of non-elective gynecological surgery are lacking. Widespread education is needed to improve the rate of implementation of fast-track. Close involvement of the entire surgical team is imperative to ensure a structured perioperative care aiming for enhanced postoperative recovery.

Objective. To determine whether postoperative symptoms differ between women who undergo abdominal benign hysterectomy in a fast-track model under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine. Design. Secondary analysis from a randomized, open, multicenter study. Setting. Five hospitals in south-east Sweden. Population. One-hundred and eighty women scheduled for benign hysterectomy were randomized; 162 completed the study; 82 were allocated to spinal and 80 to general anesthesia. Methods. The Swedish Postoperative Symptoms Questionnaire, completed daily for 1 week and thereafter once a week until 5 weeks postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures. Occurrence, intensity and duration of postoperative symptoms. Results. Women who had hysterectomy under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine experienced significantly less discomfort postoperatively compared with those who had the operation under general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia reduced the need for opioids postoperatively. The most common symptoms were pain, nausea and vomiting, itching, drowsiness and fatigue. Abdominal pain, drowsiness and fatigue occurred significantly less often and with lower intensity among the spinal anesthesia group. Although postoperative nausea and vomiting was reported equally in the two groups, vomiting episodes were reported significantly more often during the first day after surgery in the spinal anesthesia group. Spinal anesthesia was associated with a higher prevalence of postoperative itching. Conclusions. Spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine carries advantages regarding postoperative symptoms and recovery following fast-track abdominal hysterectomy.

Objective: The study objective was to compare total costs for hospital stay and postoperative recovery for two groups of women who underwent fast track abdominal benign hysterectomy, one group under general anesthesia, the other under spinal anesthesia. Costs were evaluated in relation to health related quality of life.

Study Design: Costs of treatment using data from a randomized multicenter study at five hospitals in Sweden were analyzed retrospectively. Of 180 women scheduled for benign abdominal hysterectomy; 162 were randomized for the study, 80 allocated to general anesthesia and 82 to spinal anesthesia.

Results: Total costs (hospital costs plus costs reduced productivity costs) were lower for the spinal anesthesia group. Women who had spinal anesthesia had a faster recovery measured by health related quality of life and QALYs gained in postoperative month one.

Conclusion: Use of spinal anesthesia for fast track benign abdominal hysterectomy was more cost-effective than general anesthesia.

Objective. To determine whether health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and postoperative recovery of women who undergo abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track program under general anesthesia (GA) differ from women who receive spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine (SA). Design. Secondary analysis from an open randomized controlled multicenter study. Setting. Five hospitals in south-east Sweden. Population. One hundred and eighty women admitted for abdominal hysterectomy for benign disease were randomized; 162 completed the study, 80 with GA and 82 with SA. Methods. The HRQoL was measured preoperatively using the EuroQoL EQ-5D and the Short-Form-36 health survey (SF-36) questionnaires. The EQ-5D was used daily for 1 week; thereafter, once weekly for 4 weeks and again 6 months after operation. The SF-36 was completed at 5 weeks and 6 months. Dates of commencing and ending sick leave were registered. Main Outcome Measures. Changes in HRQoL; duration of sick leave. Results. The HRQoL improved significantly faster in women after SA than after GA. Sick leave was significantly shorter after SA than after GA (median 22.5 vs. 28 days). Recovery of HRQoL and duration of sick leave were negatively influenced by postoperative complications. In particular, the mental component of HRQoL was negatively affected by minor complications, even 6 months after the operation. Conclusions. Spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine provided substantial advantages in fast-track abdominal hysterectomy for benign gynecological disorders by providing faster recovery and shorter sick leave compared with general anesthesia.

Fast-track is a multimodal strategy aimed at achieving an improved and accelerated postoperative recovery. The strategy combines unimodal evidence-based interventions concerning preoperative preparation, peroperative principles and postoperative care. There is substantial evidence for the benefits of following fast-track concepts in general elective surgery to enhance postoperative recovery. The main findings of this review are that there are benefits likewise within elective gynecological surgery, but studies of quality of life, patient satisfaction and health economics are needed. Studies of fast-track within non-elective surgery and gynaecological oncology surgery are lacking. Widespread information and education is needed to improve the rate of implementation of fast-track. Comprehensive involvement of the entire staff dealing with the patient in the perioperative period is crucial to ensure implementation and development of surgical care aiming for enhanced postoperative recovery.

Objective To determine whether the duration of hospital stay after abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track setting differed between women operated under general anaesthesia or in spinal anaesthesia with intrathecal morphine. Design An open randomised controlled multicentre study. Setting Five hospitals in the south-east of Sweden. Population One hundred and eighty women scheduled for benign hysterectomy were randomised: 162 completed the study, 82 were allocated to spinal anaesthesia and 80 were allocated to general anaesthesia. Methods Fast-track model comprising no use of sedatives for premedication, pre-emptive anti-emetic therapy, intravenous fluid restriction, analgesics based on non-opioids, early enteral nutrition and mobilisation, and standard criteria for discharge. Spinal anaesthesia with 20 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine and 0.2 mg morphine. General anaesthesia with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium, and with continuous propofol and ventilation with oxygen-in-air for maintenance of anaesthesia. Main outcome measures Hospital stay, consumption of analgesics, vomiting, pruritus and bowel function recovery. Results Median hospitalisation did not differ significantly between women who had hysterectomy with spinal or general anaesthesia (46 and 50 hours, respectively). Spinal anaesthesia was associated with a significantly lower use of opioids and a faster recovery of bowel function, although vomiting and pruritus were more prevalent. Conclusions In a fast-track model the duration of hospitalisation after abdominal hysterectomy was andlt; 50 hours, independent of the mode of anaesthesia. Spinal anaesthesia reduced the need for postoperative morphine compared with general anaesthesia. In order to improve patient recovery after gynaecological surgery further studies based on fast-track programmes are needed.

Objectives We aimed to determine whether regional analgesia with intrathecal morphine (ITM) in an enhanced recovery programme (enhanced recovery after surgery [ERAS]) gives a shorter hospital stay with good pain relief and equal health-related quality of life (QoL) to epidural analgesia (EDA) in women after midline laparotomy for proven or assumed gynaecological malignancies. Design An open-label, randomised, single-centre study. Setting A tertiary referral Swedish university hospital. Participants Eighty women, 18-70 years of age, American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II, admitted consecutively to the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Interventions The women were allocated (1: 1) to either the standard analgesic method at the clinic (EDA) or the experimental treatment (ITM). An ERAS protocol with standardised perioperative routines and standardised general anaesthesia were applied. The EDA or ITM started immediately preoperatively. The ITM group received morphine, clonidine and bupivacaine intrathecally; the EDA group had an epidural infusion of bupivacaine, adrenalin and fentanyl. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary endpoint was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary endpoints were QoL and pain assessments. Results LOS was statistically significantly shorter for the ITM group compared with the EDA group (median [IQR] 3.3 [1.5-56.3] vs 4.3 [2.2-43.2] days; p=0.01). No differences were observed in pain assessment or QoL. The ITM group used postoperatively the first week significantly less opioids than the EDA group (median (IQR) 20 mg (14-35 mg) vs 81 mg (67-101 mg); pamp;lt;0.0001). No serious adverse events were attributed to ITM or EDA. Conclusions Compared with EDA, ITM is simpler to administer and manage, is associated with shorter hospital stay and reduces opioid consumption postoperatively with an equally good QoL. ITM is effective as postoperative analgesia in gynaecological cancer surgery.

Objective To evaluate the effect of stress coping capacity in combination with mode of anaesthesia on postoperative recovery in fast-track abdominal hysterectomy. Design Prospective longitudinal study. Setting Five hospitals in the south-east of Sweden. Population A cohort of 162 women undergoing fast-track abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions. Methods Self-administered questionnaires, the Stress Coping Inventory (SCI) and the Swedish Postoperative Symptom Questionnaire (SPSQ), and clinical information were collected prospectively. Stress coping capacity was categorised as high or low according to the summed score of the SCI. Comparisons of effect variables were adjusted using a propensity score-matching model. Main outcome measures Associations between stress coping capacity and hospital stay, sick leave, use of analgesic and self-reported postoperative symptoms. Results Women with high stress coping capacity had a significantly shorter sick leave, experienced postoperative symptoms significantly less often, and with lower intensity, than women with low stress coping capacity. With the exception of symptom intensity, these findings were related to having had the operation under spinal anaesthesia as opposed to general anaesthesia. Hospital stay, use of analgesics and abdominal pain were not related to stress coping capacity. Conclusions In patients for whom spinal anaesthesia was applied, high stress coping seems to be a quality that helps patients manage the burden of surgery. It is desirable for the individual, as well as for the healthcare system, to enhance recovery by using intervention programmes designed to improve or manage stress coping, particularly for individuals with low stress coping capacity. This recommendation merits further investigation.

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Study Objectives: To examine the impact of mode of anesthesia on perceived quality of sleep and to analyze the perceived quality of sleep in affecting recovery from surgery. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: A randomized, controlled, open multicenter trial was conducted in 5 hospitals in Southeast Sweden. One-hundred eighty women scheduled for fast-track abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions were randomized to spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia; 162 women completed the trial; 82 allocated to spinal anesthesia and 80 to general anesthesia. Symptoms and perceived quality of sleep after surgery were registered daily in the Swedish Postoperative Symptoms Questionnaire. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Women in the general anesthesia group experienced bad quality of sleep the night after surgery significantly more often than the women who had spinal anesthesia (odds ratio [OR] 2.45; p = 0.03). This was almost exclusively attributed to a significantly higher consumption of opioids postoperatively in the general anesthesia group. Risk factors for bad quality of sleep during the first night postoperatively were: opioids (OR 1.07; p = 0.03); rescue antiemetics (OR 2.45; p = 0.05); relative weight gain (OR 1.47; p = 0.04); summary score of postoperative symptoms (OR 1.13; p = 0.02); and stress coping capacity (OR 0.98; p = 0.01). A longer hospital stay was strongly associated with a poorer quality of sleep the first night postoperatively (p = 0.002). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: The quality of sleep the first night after abdominal hysterectomy is an important factor for recovery. In fast-track abdominal hysterectomy, it seems important to use anesthesia and multimodal analgesia reducing the need for opioids postoperatively and to use strategies that diminish other factors that may interfere negatively with sleep. Efforts to enhance quality of sleep postoperatively by means of preventive measures and treatment of sleep disturbances should be included in fast-track programs.

Objective There are limited prospective data on the evaluation of quality of life in patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. Our objective was to determine whether post-operative recovery differs between robotic and abdominal hysterectomy.

Methods At a Swedish tertiary referral university hospital, 50 women with low-risk endometrial cancer scheduled for surgery between February 2012 and May 2016 were included in a randomized trial. Surgery was performed according to principles for minimal invasive surgery. Anesthesia and peri-operative care followed a standardized enhanced recovery after surgery program in both groups. The EuroQol Group form EQ-5D and the Short Form-36 were used to evaluate patients' health-related quality of life. The Swedish Postoperative Symptoms Questionnaire assessed symptoms pre-operatively, daily for 7 days from the day of surgery, and then weekly until 6 weeks post-operatively. Data were analyzed by means of non-parametric tests and repeated measures ANOVA. To evaluate the time-dependent occurrence of complications, Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional-hazard models were used.

Results A total of 50 women were enrolled in the study (25 robotic and 25 abdominal hysterectomy). Median age (68 years vs 67 years), estimated blood loss (50 mL vs 50 mL), length of hospital stay de facto (53 hours vs 51 hours), and time to meet discharge criteria (36 hours vs 36 hours) in the robotic and abdominal groups, respectively, did not differ significantly (p>0.05) Women in the robotic hysterectomy group recovered significantly faster (p=0.01) in the EQ-5D health index, and reached their pre-operative level after approximately 3 weeks, nearly 2 weeks earlier than the abdominal group. Differences regarding improvement in health-related quality of life (Short Form-36) were statistically significant in general health and social functioning only, and were in favor of robotic hysterectomy. Consumption of analgesics, pain intensity, and symptom sum score post-operatively were equal. Occurrence of complications was an independent risk factor and influenced significantly the EQ-5D health index, length of hospital stay, pain intensity, opioid consumption, and symptom sum score adversely.

Conclusion Robotic hysterectomy in the setting of an enhanced recovery after surgery program led to faster recovery in health-related quality of life compared with abdominal hysterectomy.

Background: Fast-track regimen has been shown to reduce postoperative complications in gastrointestinal surgery. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanAims: We investigated the incidence and type of postoperative complications and associated risk factors after benign abdominal hysterectomy undertaken in a fast-track program. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study. In five Swedish hospitals, a cohort of 162 women, ASA 1-2, undergoing abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track program was prospectively studied. Surgery was performed under spinal or general anaesthesia. The fast-track concept was standardised with discharge criteria and a restricted intravenous fluid regimen. Complications were systematically registered during the five-week follow-up period. Risk factors for complications were analysed using multiple logistic regression models. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults: Forty-one (25.3%) developed postoperative complications, mainly infection and wound healing complications. The majority of the complications developed after discharge and were treated in the outpatient clinics. Four women (2.5%) were readmitted to hospital. Substantial risk factors for postoperative complications were obesity (OR 8.83), prior laparotomy (OR 2.92) and relative increase in body weight on the first postoperative day (OR 1.52). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions: Minor infection and wound healing complications seem to be common in healthy women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track program. Obesity is an important risk factor also in fast-track abdominal hysterectomy. A modest increase in postoperative relative weight gain during the first postoperative day seemed to increase the risk of postoperative complications. This factor merits further study. Randomised studies are necessary to determine the impact of fast-track program and perioperative fluid regimens on postoperative complications.

The initial interaction between HIV-1 and the host occurs at the mucosa during sexual intercourse. In cervical mucosa, HIV-1 exists both as free and opsonized virions and this might influence initial infection. We used cervical explants to study HIV-1 transmission, the effects of opsonization on infectivity, and how infection can be prevented. Complement opsonization enhanced HIV-1 infection of dendritic cells (DCs) compared with that by free HIV-1, but this increased infection was not observed with CD4⁺ T cells. Blockage of the α4-, β7-, and β1-integrins significantly inhibited HIV-1 infection of both DCs and CD4⁺ T cells. We found a greater impairment of HIV-1 infection in DCs for complement-opsonized virions compared with that of free virions when αM/β2- and α4-integrins were blocked. Blocking the C-type lectin receptor macrophage mannose receptor (MMR) inhibited infection of emigrating DCs but had no effect on CD4⁺ T-cell infection. We show that blocking of integrins decreases the HIV-1 infection of both mucosal DCs and CD4⁺ T cells emigrating from the cervical tissues. These findings may provide the basis of novel microbicidal strategies that may help limit or prevent initial infection of the cervical mucosa, thereby reducing or averting systemic HIV-1 infection.