Flexible Carbon Dioxide Laser Fiber Versus Ultrasonic Scalpel in Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Myomectomy

Evidence-Based Practice for Minimization of Blood Loss During Laparoscopic Myomectomy: An AAGL Practice Guideline: The Practice Guideline Committee of AAGL

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of pre-operative medical adjuncts and intra-operative interventions for reducing blood loss during laparoscopic (conventional or robotic-assisted) myomectomy.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analyses of the relevant literature were performed to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

SETTING

Published literature.

PATIENTS

Patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Pre-operative medical adjuncts and intra-operative interventions for reducing blood loss.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was surgical blood loss. Secondary outcomes were change in hematocrit or hemoglobin and blood transfusion. Additional outcomes included length of procedure, intra- and post-operative complications, conversion to laparotomy, reoperation, readmission, and length of stay. A total of 75 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and formed the basis for this practice guideline. Evidence-based recommendations were developed regarding the use of pre-operative medical adjuncts including gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and progesterone), as well as intra-operative vasoconstrictors, uterine artery occlusion, electrosurgical devices and barbed suture.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic review and multiple meta-analyses identified moderate evidence supporting the use of 3-month administration of leuprolide acetate prior to myomectomy and intra-operative use of misoprostol, epinephrine, vasopressin, oxytocin, and uterine artery occlusion for reducing blood loss during laparoscopic myomectomy.

Near-infrared and hysteroscopy-guided robotic excision of uterine isthmocele with laser fiber: a novel high-precision technique

OBJECTIVE

To describe a novel high-precision technique for robotic excision of uterine isthmocele, employing a carbon dioxide laser fiber, under hysteroscopic guidance, and near-infrared guidance.

DESIGN

Video article.

PATIENT(S)

A 36-year-old multipara with 3 prior cesarean sections presented to our infertility clinic with secondary infertility. The patient had been trying to conceive for 6 months without success. The patient underwent a hystero-salpingo contrast sonography that identified a large cesarean scar defect with a 1.4-mm residual myometrial thickness (RMT). The patient was counseled on surgical management with robotic approach because of RMT <3 mm precluding her from hysteroscopic resection and the potential risk for a cesarean scar ectopic or abnormal placentation if she were to become pregnant in the future. She elected to undergo excision and repair and informed consent was obtained from the patient.

INTERVENTION(S)

The robot was docked for traditional gynecologic robotic surgery. The uterus was injected with 5 units of vasopressin. We used a carbon dioxide laser fiber (Lumenis FIberLase) at a power of 5 watts as the sole energy source for dissection. The bladder was dissected off the uterus to identify the general area of the isthmocele. At that point, diagnostic hysteroscopy was performed using a 30-degree 5-mm hysteroscope (Karl Storz) to identify and enter the isthmocele. Near-infrared vision (da Vinci Firefly, Intuitive USA) was activated to precisely outline the extent of the isthmocele, which was not visible with simple transillumination from the hysteroscope. We proceeded with laser excision in infrared/gray scale using the laser at a power of 20 watts removing the entire area that was highlighted by the Firefly. After full excision of the isthmocele, the hysteroscope was removed and was eventually replaced by a uterine manipulator (ConMed VCare DX). The hysterotomy was closed with a 2-layer closure: 4 mattress sutures of 2-0 Vicryl (Ethicon) followed by a running 2-0 PDS Stratafix (Ethicon). The peritoneal layer was closed over these 2 layers with 2-0 PDS Stratafix (Ethicon) in a running fashion. The uterine manipulator was removed and a 14 French Malecot catheter (Bard) was placed in the uterine cavity to allow the healing to proceed with minimal risk of cervical stenosis. The bladder was backfilled to ensure integrity of the bladder wall. Interceed adhesion barrier (Gynecare) was then placed over the area of the repair and the procedure was concluded. The patient included in this video gave consent for publication of the video and posting of the video online including social media, the journal website, scientific literature websites (such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, etc.), and other applicable sites.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Completion of excision and repair of cesarean scar defect without surgical complications.

RESULT(S)

Robotic excision and repair of a sizable uterine isthmocele with carbon dioxide laser fiber and da Vinci Firefly was completed successfully without any surgical complications. Diagnostic hysteroscopy was used to positively identify the isthmocele and provide transillumination. However, the thickness of the cervical myometrium only allows the hysteroscopic light to shine through the thinnest portion of myometrium at the apex of the isthmocele, whereas the near-infrared vision allowed by the da Vinci Firefly technology was used to precisely identify the borders of the defect. The carbon dioxide laser was used to completely remove the defect while avoiding damage to delicate reproductive tissue and over-excision. No complications were identified during the postoperative visit. Magnetic resonance imaging 3 months after the surgery revealed an RMT of 10 mm at the location of excision compared with the initial RMT of 1.4 mm.

CONCLUSION(S)

Currently, there is no gold-standard technique for surgical management of isthmocele. This is the first description of the combined use of hysteroscopy, near-infrared vision, and laser fiber for the robotic excision of isthmocele. This specific setup proves to be a useful technical improvement. The use of near-infrared vision combined with precise hysteroscopic targeting allows much clearer definition of he isthmocele borders, and the flexible laser fiber allows millimetric xcision in the absence of appreciable lateral thermal spread. Further investigation is warranted to identify a gold-standard surgical technique for patients with cesarean scar defect.

Comparison of transoral robotic surgery with other surgeries for obstructive sleep apnea

This study compared the characteristic surgical parameters and clinical effects of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and other available methods used to alleviate obstructive sleep apnea. Articles on TORS and other surgeries for obstructive sleep apnea were identified in the PubMed and EMBASE databases. Two investigators independently reviewed the articles and classified the data for meta-analysis. The pooled effect sizes of TORS (standardized mean difference; SMD = − 2.38), coblation tongue base resection (CTBR; SMD = − 2.00) and upper airway stimulation (UAS; SMD = − 0.94) revealed significant improvement in the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI; p < 0.05). The lowest O₂ saturation reported was significantly increased following TORS (SMD = 1.43), CTBR (SMD = 0.86) and UAS (SMD = 1.24, p < 0.05). Furthermore, TORS (SMD = − 2.91) and CTBR (SMD = − 1.51, p < 0.05) significantly reduced the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score. No significant difference in operation time, success rate, or instances of complication were observed between TORS and the other compared interventions. The use of TORS in obstructive sleep apnea has the same rate of success and failure as other methods of surgical intervention for obstructive sleep apnea with no statistical difference in operation times. The reported clinical effects on the AHI, lowest O₂ saturation, and ESS scores of TORS were similar to those of other surgeries.

Reproductive surgery: decreasing skills and advancing technology-an existential conundrum

Our article endeavors to be both a review of the recent past and a preview of the future of reproductive surgery. By reflecting on the rate of technological advancement over the past decade, we attempt to predict the trajectory of the next. We also delve into the changing nature and practical challenges of the practice of gynecologic surgery for the reproductive endocrinology and infertility subspecialist. We will explain how technological advances may alter our perception and expectations regarding the indications, timing and extent of surgical intervention in the infertile patient and in the patient seeking preservation of fertility. This review does not aim to be comprehensive, choosing instead to focus on those innovations that hold, in our view, true potential to shape the future of surgical practice. Ours is primarily a technology review. As such, it does not focus on novel surgical techniques, including uterine transplantation and ovarian tissue transplantation.

Comparison of fiber delivered CO2 laser and electrocautery in transoral robot assisted tongue base surgery

To compare intra-operative and post-operative effectiveness of fiber delivered CO₂ laser to monopolar electrocautery in robot assisted tongue base surgery. Prospective non-randomized clinical study. Twenty moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, non-compliant with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), underwent Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) using the Da Vinci surgical robot in our University Hospital. OSA was treated with monopolar electrocautery in 10 patients, and with flexible CO₂ laser fiber in another 10 patients. The following parameters in the two sets are analyzed: Intraoperative bleeding that required cauterization, robot operating time, need for tracheotomy, postoperative self-limiting bleeding, length of hospitalization, duration until start of oral intake, pre-operative and post-operative minimum arterial oxygen saturation, pre-operative and post-operative Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, postoperative airway complication and postoperative pain. Mean follow-up was 12 months. None of the patients required tracheotomy and there were no intraoperative complications related to the use of the robot or the CO₂ laser. The use of CO₂ laser in TORS-assisted tongue base surgery resulted in less intraoperative bleeding that required cauterization, shorter robot operating time, shorter length of hospitalization, shorter duration until start of oral intake and less postoperative pain, when compared to electrocautery. Postoperative apnea-hypopnea index scores showed better efficacy of CO₂ laser than electrocautery. Comparison of postoperative airway complication rates and Epworth sleepiness scale scores were found to be statistically insignificant between the two groups. The use of CO₂ laser in robot assisted tongue base surgery has various intraoperative and post-operative advantages when compared to monopolar electrocautery.