Use of the LigaSure vessel sealer in total abdominal hysterectomy

Nerve-sparing versus non-nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy: surgical and long-term oncological outcomes

Objectives

There are controversies regarding the long-term oncological safety of preservation of pelvic innervation during radical hysterectomy (RH). This study aimed to analyze the feasibility and safety of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) for cervical cancer compared with non-NSRH following 17 years of experience in a tertiary cancer referral center.

Materials and Methods

Between May 1999 and June 2016, all patients who underwent RH for cervical cancer were followed-up prospectively. Comparison analyses regarding surgical outcomes, complications, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were performed between patients treated with NSRH and non-NSRH.

Results

A total of 188 patients were included (113 non-NSRH and 75 NSRH). The median follow-up was 112 months. Estimated blood loss and hospital stay were all significantly lower in the NSRH group. Overall intraoperative complication rate (p = 0.02) and need for transfusion (p = 0.016) were lower in the NSRH group. There were no differences in the median operation time, OS, DFS, CSS, or recurrence rates between the NSRH and non-NSRH group.

Conclusions

Our study provides a wide perspective on the developments of nerve-sparing procedures for the management of women with early-stage cervical cancer. Our results suggest that NSRH is a feasible and safe procedure, with reduced morbidity outcomes.

Diathermy versus scalpel in transverse abdominal incision in women undergoing repeated cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the volume of blood loss, wound incision time and wound complication according to use of scalpel or electrosurgery during the creation of transverse abdominal incisions during repeated cesarean section (CS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was carried out at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. We recruited 130 women with a history of one previous CS at the time of their planned lower-segment CS. Participants were randomized to anterior abdominal wall opening from subcutaneous tissue till the peritoneum by either the use of scalpel with disposable blade (No. 22) or diathermy using the standard diathermy pen electrode. The main outcome measures were the volume of blood loss from skin incision to the end of the peritoneal incision, the operative time and wound complication.

RESULTS

We observed a highly significant difference between the two groups in blood loss (median [interquartile range], 11 [8-15.25] g for the diathermy group vs 20 [18-23] g for the scalpel group, P < 0.001) and skin-to-peritoneum incision time (median [interquartile range], 7 [5-7.25] min for the diathermy group vs 10 [7-11] min for the scalpel group, P < 0.001). The postoperative pain was less in the diathermy group but wound complications showed no statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

The use of diathermy in the opening of anterior abdominal wall during CS decreases blood loss and operative time but has no impact on postoperative pain or wound complications.

A review of total laparoscopic hysterectomy using LigaSure uterine artery-sealing device: AIIMS experience

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) by using the Ligasure system for the sealing of uterine arteries.

DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective review of cases who underwent TLH over 1.5 years.

SETTINGS

This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital setting, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (New Delhi, India).

PATIENTS

A total of 110 patients of TLH done for uterine pathology [leiomyoma in 67 (60.9%), dysfunctional uterine bleeding in 34 (30.9%), and others in 9 (8.1%)].

INTERVENTIONS

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy, using the LigaSure system (Valleylab Inc., Boulder, CO), was done by the sealing of uterine arteries and Prashant Mangeshikar uterine manipulator for elevation of the uterus.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 43.1 +/- 0.602 years and mean body mass index was 25.19 +/- 0.39 kg/m(2). The mean operating time was 116.91 +/- 3.4 minutes, mean intraoperative blood loss was 173.09 +/- 11.64 mL, and the mean weight of the removed uterus was 224.14 +/- 17.62 g. Six patients were converted from a laparoscopic to an open procedure (large myoma in 4 and dense adhesion in 2) and 1 was converted to laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (tear in vaginal cuff). One patient (0.9%) developed lung emphysema during the intraoperative period. Postoperative complications included paralytic ileus in 3 (2.7%), retention of urine in 2 (1.8%), and febrile morbidity in 12 (10.9%) patients. There were no bladder or bowel injuries.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic hysterectomy by uterine artery sealing with LigaSure is a safe, efficient procedure with a low complication rate.

Safety and efficacy of vaginal hysterectomy in the large uterus with the LigaSure bipolar diathermy system

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to assess safety and efficacy of vaginal hysterectomy in case of large uterine size (> or = 250 g) using the LigaSure bipolar diathermy (Valleylab, Boulder, CO).

STUDY DESIGN

In a retrospective study, medical records of 102 patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy and who had uterine weight (evaluated after surgery) 250 g or greater were reviewed. All hysterectomies were performed by using the LigaSure vessel sealing system to secure vascular pedicles (uterosacral-cardinal, uterine and ovarian and round ligaments).

RESULTS

Of the 102 vaginal hysterectomies, 99 were successfully performed (97.1%; 95% confidence interval, 91.6-99.4%), whereas a conversion from the vaginal to the abdominal route was required in 3 cases. The median uterine weight was 455 g (range, 241-1913 g). The weight of the largest uterus successfully removed vaginally was 1600 g, without intraoperative and postoperative complications. The median operative time was 50 minutes (range, 25-50 minutes).

CONCLUSION

The current study confirms that very large uterine volume does not represent a real obstacle to perform vaginal hysterectomy and that results in a safe and effective technique in cases of uterine weight 250 g or greater.

Douleur postopératoire après hystérectomie par voie vaginale selon la méthode d'hémostase utilisée: thermofusion ou suture aux fils

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to compare the postoperative pain of patients who had a hysterectomy through vaginal route according to the process of binding: wire or electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study carried out in the 60 last patients who underwent a hysterectomy by vaginal route for a benign pathology in the gynaecological service of surgery of the CHI Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye until March 2006. Among these patients, 32 had profited from a binding by wire and 28 of the electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing. The studied criteria were the post-operative pain, total morphine consumption and the durations of the analgesic treatment, the hospitalisation and intervention time.

RESULTS

The postoperative pain in the first 24 hours was twice lower using thermofusion; it was valid in immediate post-operative period and after 24 hours. In addition, total morphine consumption was also significantly lower using thermofusion.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This pilot study shows that the electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing allows a reduction in the pain into the immediate postoperative period. Other prospective and randomised studies would allow it and conclude on the duration of hospitalisation, the quality of life from the patients and the cost in terms of public health.

Electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing during vaginal hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing (EBVS) with traditional suturing during vaginal hysterectomy.

METHODS

In a randomized controlled trial involving 68 women undergoing vaginal hysterectomy for benign disease, 37 procedures were performed using EBVS and 31 using traditional suturing. The end points were procedure time, blood loss, number of ligatures used, postoperative pain score, and number of days in hospital.

RESULTS

The procedure duration was shorter using EBVS (median duration, 32 vs. 40 min; P=.0003), with fewer ligatures (1 vs. 7; P<.0001) and less pain (median score, 4 vs. 6; P<.0001). There were no significant differences regarding blood loss (median, 100 vs. 160 mL; P=.36) and days in hospital (median, 2 vs. 2; P=.03).

CONCLUSION

The EBVS system provided advantages over traditional suturing with regard to procedure time, number of ligatures used, and postoperative pain score.