Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence: comparison of robotic-assisted Burch urethropexy with retropubic midurethral sling

Synthetic retropubic midurethral slings (RMUS) and robotic-assisted Burch urethropexies (RA-Burch) are common surgical treatment options for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Few data exist comparing the success of these two retropubic surgeries. This retrospective cohort study of RA-Burch and RMUS procedures compared the proportion of patients with subjective cure after RA-Burch compared to RMUS at our institution between 2016 and 2020. Subjective cure was defined as reporting no symptoms of SUI at longest follow-up. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney U tests, logistic regression, and Kaplan-Meier log-rank tests were used in analyses. The overall cohort of 235 subjects included 47 RA-Burch cases matched 1:4 with 188 RMUS cases. Patients who underwent RA-Burch were younger (p < .01), had lower BMIs (p = .04), and were more likely to have concomitant procedures, including hysterectomy (p < .01). There was no difference in subjective cure at longest follow-up (p = .76). Median follow-up was longer in the RA-Burch group (p < .01). There was no difference in early postoperative complications, EBL, treatment for persistent SUI, or new urge urinary incontinence at longest follow-up. Both groups experienced postoperative urinary retention at a similar rate, although 4 RMUS patients required sling lysis and one patient experienced a mesh exposure. Patients undergoing RA-Burch had significantly longer OR times when no concomitant procedure was performed (p < .01). There were no significant predictors of SUI recurrence when controlling for baseline variables. This study suggests that RA-Burch and RMUS may be equally efficacious for patients with symptoms of SUI desiring surgical management.

Surgical cost of robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy: a comparison of two robotic platforms

IMPORTANCE

Robotic assistance in pelvic organ prolapse surgery can improve surgeon ergonomics and instrument dexterity compared with traditional laparoscopy but at increased costs.

OBJECTIVE

To compare total costs for robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RSC) between two robotic platforms at an academic medical center.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort of Senhance (Ascensus) RSC between 1/1/2019 and 6/30/21 who were matched 2:1 with DaVinci (Intuitive) RSC. Primary outcome was total costs to hospital system; secondarily we evaluated cost sub-categories. Purchase costs of the robotic systems were not included. T-test, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were used. A multivariable linear regression was performed to model total costs adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

The matched cohort included 75 subjects. The 25 Senhance and 50 DaVinci cases were similar overall, with mean age 60.5 ± 9.7, BMI 27.9 ± 4.7, and parity 2.5 ± 1.0. Majority were white (97.3%) and postmenopausal (86.5%) with predominantly stage III prolapse (64.9%). Senhance cases had longer OR times (Δ = 32.1 min, p = 0.01). There were no differences in concomitant procedures, intraoperative complications, or short-term postoperative complications between platforms (all p > 0.05). On univariable analysis, costs were similar (Senhance $5368.31 ± 1486.89, DaVinci $5741.76 ± 1197.20, p = 0.29). Cost subcategories (medications, supplies, etc.) were also similar (all p > 0.05). On multivariable linear regression, total cost was $908.33 lower for Senhance (p = 0.01) when adjusting for operative time, estimated blood loss, concomitant mid-urethral sling, and use of the GelPoint mini port system.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite longer operating times, total cost of robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy was significantly lower when using the Senhance compared to the DaVinci system.

Sacrocolpopexy experience with a novel robotic surgical platform

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objective was to describe early experience performing sacrocolpopexy using a novel robotic surgical platform.

METHODS

This is a case series of all women who underwent robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy using a new robotics platform (TransEnterix Senhance) between January 2019 and July 2021. All sacrocolpopexies were performed by a single Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive surgeon at a large academic institution. Perioperative information including complications was abstracted from the medical record. Anatomical recurrence was defined as any anatomical point at or past the hymen (≥0). Data are descriptive, with Mann-Whitney U test used for comparison of operative time between the first and second half of the patients.

RESULTS

A total of 25 sacrocolpopexies were performed using the new robotics platform. Mean age was 62.3 years (±9.2) and mean BMI was 26.5 (±3.8). Ten (40.0%) patients had a prior hysterectomy. Most (n = 21, 84.0%) had stage III or IV prolapse preoperatively. Mean operative time was 210.2 min (±48.6) and median estimated blood loss was 35 ml (IQR 25-50). Mean operative time decreased between the first and second half of the patients (231.7 min vs 190.3 min, p = 0.047). There were no major intraoperative complications. Median follow-up time was 16 weeks (IQR 4-34) and there were no subjective recurrences or retreatments during this period. Two patients (8.0%) had anatomical recurrence without subjective bother. There were two postoperative readmissions (8.0%) within 30 days for small bowel obstruction, one treated surgically and the other with nonsurgical management.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case series demonstrates feasibility and successful early adoption of a new robotics platform for robotic sacrocolpopexy.

Surgeon satisfaction and outcomes of tele-proctoring for robotic gynecologic surgery

Surgical proctoring requires increasing resources in growing healthcare systems. In addition, travel has become less safe in the era of COVID-19. This study demonstrates surgeon satisfaction and safety with tele-proctoring in robotic gynecologic surgery. This pilot study assesses surgeon satisfaction and operative outcomes with a novel operative tele-proctoring system with a continuous two-way video-audio feed that allows the off-site surgeon to see the operating room, surgical field, and hands of the robotic surgeon. After thorough system testing, two experienced surgeons underwent tele-proctoring for hospital credentialing, completing 7 total cases. Each completed pre- and post-surveys developed from the Michigan Standard Simulation Experience Scale. Surgical characteristics were compared between tele-proctored cases and 59 historical cases proctored in-person over the last 8 years. Surgeons reported unanimous high satisfaction with tele-proctoring (5 ± 0). There were no major technologic issues. Five of the tele-proctored cases and 35 of controls were hysterectomies. Mean age was 48.2 ± 1.4 years, mean BMI was 29.6 ± 0.9 kg/m², and mean uterine weight was 152 ± 112.3 g. Two-thirds had prior abdominal surgery (P > 0.1). Tele-proctored hysterectomies were 58 ± 6.5 min shorter than controls (P = 0.001). There were no differences in EBL or complication rates (P > 0.1). Tele-proctoring resulted in high surgeon satisfaction rates with no difference in EBL or complications. Tele-mentoring is a natural extension of tele-proctoring that could provide advanced surgical expertise far beyond where we can physically reach.