Evaluating Ovarian Reserve After Conventional Laparoscopy Versus Robotic Surgery for Bilateral Endometrioma

Evaluating Ovarian Reserve After Conventional Laparoscopy Versus Robotic Surgery for Bilateral Endometrioma: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study is to perform a randomized study investigating AMH recovery comparing robot-assisted laparoscopy and conventional laparoscopy in patients with bilateral ovarian endometrioma. It is hypothesized that in patients with endometriomas, a robot-assisted approach may provide improved instrument navigation resulting in more precise dissection and therefore removal of less healthy ovarian tissue compared to conventional laparoscopy. AMH is the most widely used parameter for predicting functional ovarian reserve. Postoperative AMH levels were associated with the number of follicles in specimens due to the removal of ovarian cortex during surgery . Furthermore, the reduction in AMH level after surgery is higher in bilateral endometrioma.

The investigators hypothesize, on the basis of Lee at al., 2020, that patients with bilateral endometrioma will have significantly higher AMH levels 6 months after robot-assisted laparoscopy than patients who were treated with conventional laparoscopy.

Therefore, the primary outcome is postoperative serum AMH level recovery in patients undergoing conventional laparoscopy versus robot-assisted laparoscopy.

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate postoperative differences in ovarian reserve differing between robot-assisted laparoscopy compared to conventional laparoscopy in patients with bilaterial ovarian endometrioma by comparing serum AMH (sAMH) level recovery.

Study population: The study population will consist of women aged between 18 and 45 years who are referred to our gynecologic outpatient clinic due to bilateral endometrioma. Women with an indication for surgery can be included in this trial.

Methods: Laparoscopic-assisted resection of endometriosis will be performed using up to four 5-mm ports, including an umbilical port and additional ports as dictated by each individual surgery. The robotic-assisted resection of endometriosis will be performed using the da Vinci Surgical System Si (Intuitive Surgical) using up to five ports as needed. Superficial and deep endometriosis resection will be performed in the usual standard fashion. Histological confirmation of endometriosis will be performed. The primary outcome is postoperative serum AMH (sAMH) level recovery. This will be evaluated 6 months after surgery.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Ovarian Endometrioma; Ovarian Endometriosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: robotic-assisted laparoscopy; Procedure: Conventional laparoscopy

Detailed Description

Experimental Plan

Study design This trial is a prospective, randomized-controlled study investigating postoperative differences in ovarian reserve differing between robot-assisted laparoscopy compared to conventional laparoscopy in patients with bilaterial ovarian endometrioma by comparing serum AMH (sAMH) level recovery. Postoperative follow-up will take place after 6 months. All women referred to our department for endometrioma will undergo clinical examination by a senior surgeon experienced in endometriosis as well as ultrasound. All patients with bilateral endometrioma will be included. Complementary examinations, such as cystoscopy or renal sonography will be performed in women with suspected involvement of urinary tract.

In women with pregnancy intention and endometrioma, an exhaustive assessment of the disease will systematically be performed before deciding between primary surgery and primary assisted reproductive techniques.

Gynecological examination will be performed at each visit. Ovarian reserve will be evaluated using antral follicle count (AFC) via transvaginal sonography, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and ovarian volume.

Follicle number will be evaluated by pathologists in the histologic tissue sections.

Furthermore, subjective outcome will be assessed with standardized questionnaires.

Study setting This study will be conducted at the gynecologic outpatient clinic (Division of General Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna). Enrollment, treatment and data collection will be standardized by all sites according to the approved study protocol.

Participants and recruitment The study population will consist of women aged between 18 and 45 years who are referred to our gynecologic outpatient clinic due to endometrioma. Women with bilateral endometrioma and an indication for surgery can be included in this trial.

Intervention Laparoscopic-assisted cystectomy of endometrioma will be performed using up to four 5-mm ports, including an umbilical port and additional ports as dictated by each individual surgery. The robotic-assisted resection of endometriosis will be performed using the da Vinci Surgical System Si (Intuitive Surgical) using up to five ports as needed. An umbilical port was placed for the laparoscope (10/12 mm), a 5-mm port for the assistant, and two or three ports (5/8 mm) for the robotic arms. Superficial and deep endometriosis resection will be performed in the usual standard fashion. All superficial lesions suspicious for endometriosis (pigmented and nonpigmented) will be completely resected until non-diseased peritoneal margins are visualized around the defect; all deep lesions suspicious for endometriosis will be completely resected until non-diseased margins are visualized in the tissue surrounding the defect. Cystectomy will be performed for endometriomas. Additional procedures are performed as needed to completely resect all endometriosis lesions. The fascia of any port ≥10 mm will be reapproximated. A cystoscopy will be performed when deemed appropriate by the surgeon. If bowel resection and re-anastomosis are necessary this will be performed together with a General Surgeon.

Participating surgeons will be defined as high-volume surgeons in endometriosis surgery and will also be part of the endometriosis core team.

Histological confirmation of endometriosis will be performed.

Postoperative Management: The patients are instructed to rest for 2 weeks after the operation (not to work, do sport, do the cleaning, and carry more than five kilos). They are allowed to return to work after 2 weeks and to take part in sports or have intercourse after 6 weeks. Follow-up visits are scheduled after 6 months in our outpatient clinic due to our study protocol.

For the postoperative medical treatment of endometriosis, combined oral contraceptive, a GnRH agonist or Dienogest will be administered to all patients who do not desire pregnancy. Patients desiring pregnancy will either be advised to attempt spontaneous conception or will be sent to our in-house ART department depending on their age, disease extent, preoperative AMH levels and male factors.

Data collection At baseline, the following data will be collected: demographics and medical history data (age, body mass index, parity, menopausal and hormone therapy status, current smoking, previous adnexal surgery, and medical comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, connective tissue disorders)). Previous endometriosis-specific treatments and responses will be assessed. Patients will be asked to complete the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP) EHP-30 25. A gynecological examination will be performed at each visit. Ovarian reserve will be evaluated using antral follicle count (AFC), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, and ovarian volume.

Preferentially, LH and FSH will be evaluated in the first 2 to 5 days of the menstrual cycle.

The patients will be asked to rate their satisfaction with the appearance of their scars on a 10-point Likert scale (with 1 being very unsatisfied and 10 being very satisfied).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 104
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Christine Bekos; Phone Number: 004369913536030; Email: christine.bekos@meduniwien.ac.at

Study Locations

• Austria
  • Vienna, Austria, 1090
    • Recruiting
    • Medical University of Vienna
    • Contact: Christine Bekos; Phone Number: 004369913536030; Email: christine.bekos@meduniwien.ac.at
    • Sub-Investigator: Rene Wenzl

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 45 years (ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Bilateral endometrioma
• Surgical endometriosis resection is planned
• sAMH > 1.0 ng/ml

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of malignant diseases
• History of adnexal surgery
• Subject is unable or unwilling to participate
• Postmenopausal women

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: SINGLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: conventional laparoscopy; Laparoscopic-assisted cystectomy of endometrioma will be performed using up to four 5-mm ports, including an umbilical port and additional ports as dictated by each individual surgery.	Procedure: Conventional laparoscopy; Superficial and deep endometriosis resection will be performed in the usual standard fashion. All superficial lesions suspicious for endometriosis (pigmented and nonpigmented) will be completely resected until non-diseased peritoneal margins are visualized around the defect; all deep lesions suspicious for endometriosis will be completely resected until non-diseased margins are visualized in the tissue surrounding the defect. Cystectomy will be performed for endometriomas. Additional procedures are performed as needed to completely resect all endometriosis lesions. The fascia of any port ≥10 mm will be reapproximated. Cystoscopy will be performed when deemed appropriate by the surgeon. If bowel resection and re-anastomosis is necessary this will be performed together with a General Surgeon.
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: robotic-assisted laparoscopy; The robotic-assisted resection of endometriosis will be performed using the da Vinci Surgical System Si (Intuitive Surgical) using up to five ports as needed. An umbilical port was placed for the laparoscope (10/12 mm), a 5-mm port for the assistant, and two to three ports (5/8 mm) for the robotic arms.	Procedure: robotic-assisted laparoscopy; Superficial and deep endometriosis resection will be performed in the usual standard fashion. All superficial lesions suspicious for endometriosis (pigmented and nonpigmented) will be completely resected until non-diseased peritoneal margins are visualized around the defect; all deep lesions suspicious for endometriosis will be completely resected until non-diseased margins are visualized in the tissue surrounding the defect. Cystectomy will be performed for endometriomas. Additional procedures are performed as needed to completely resect all endometriosis lesions. The fascia of any port ≥10 mm will be reapproximated. Cystoscopy will be performed when deemed appropriate by the surgeon. If bowel resection and re-anastomosis is necessary this will be performed together with a General Surgeon.; Other Names: DaVinci laparoscopy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in serum AMH (sAMH) from baseline to 6 months after the operation	postoperative sAMH (6 months after the operation) compared to preoperative sAMH	6 months after the operation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
rate of intraoperative adverse events	rate of intraoperative adverse events (bladder injury, bowel injury, ureteral obstruction, massive bleeding)	1 day
rate of postoperative adverse events	rate of postoperative adverse events related to surgery (classified using Clavien Dindo classification)	4 weeks
operation time	operation time in minutes	1 day
length of hospitalization (following the operation)	length of hospitalization in days	2 weeks
blood loss	change of hemoglobin levels 24 hours after surgery	1 day
laparotomic conversion rate	laparotomic conversion rate	1 day
Disease recurrence rate up to 12 months after surgery	Endometriosis recurrence can have different levels: symptoms recurrence based on patient history (VAS pain score ≥ 5), but no proof of recurrence by imaging and/or surgery; endometriosis recurrence based on non-invasive imaging in patients with or without symptoms; recurrence of histologically proven endometriosis: when the patient is re-operated, endometriosis is visually observed and confirmed histologically.	12 months after the operation
Change in antral follicle count (AFC) from baseline to 6 months after the operation	antral follicle count (AFC) measured via transvaginal sonography	6 months after the operation
change in ovarian volume from baseline to 6 months after the operation	ovarian volume measured via transvaginal sonography (preoperative ovarian volume - endometrioma volume versus postoperative ovarian volume)	6 months after the operation
change in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from baseline to 6 months after the operation	postoperative FSH and LH(6 months after the operation) compared to preoperative FSH and LH (both times measured within the first 2-5 days of menstrual cycle)	6 months after the operation
follicle number in the histologic tissue sections	follicle number in the histologic tissue sections	1 day
change of the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP) EHP-30 from baseline to 6 months after the operation	questionnaires: the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP) EHP-30 (preoperative versus 6 months after the operation	6 months after the operation
10-point Likert scale for cosmetic satisfaction	questionnaires: 10-point Likert scale for cosmetic satisfaction	6 months after the operation

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Medical University of Vienna
• Investigators: Study Director: Rene Wenzl, Medical University of Vienna, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): April 19, 2022
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): December 31, 2023
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): December 31, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 27, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2022
• First Posted (ACTUAL): May 3, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): June 8, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 6, 2022
• Last Verified: June 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Endometriosis
• Other Study ID Numbers: AMH robotic LSK

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No