B. Abu-Rafea

Laparoscopic peritoneal entry with the reusable threaded visual cannula.

STUDY OBJECTIVEnTo estimate the feasibility, reproducibility, and safety of laparoscopic port establishment using a trocarless and externally threaded visual cannula (TVC).nnnDESIGNnMulticentre, prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).nnnSETTINGnThree university-affiliated teaching hospitals.nnnPATIENTSnFour thousand seven hundred twenty-four women (median age, 34 years; median body mass index, 25) underwent laparoscopic surgery.nnnINTERVENTIONnAfter administration of general anesthesia, the Veress needle was inserted at the umbilicus or the left upper quadrant (LUQ) using Veress intraperitoneal pressure of 10 mm Hg or less as proxy for correct placement. Transient high intraperitoneal pressure of 20 to 30 mm Hg was attained, and primary and ancillary ports were established using the reusable trocarless TVC.nnnMEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTSnInstitutional research ethics board approval and patient consent for video capture were obtained. Primary umbilical entry was established in 4598 patients (97.33%), primary LUQ entry in 123 (2.60%), and primary suprapubic entry in 3 (0.06%) patients. Peritoneal preinsufflation was abandoned when 3 consecutive umbilical or LUQ Veress needle insertion attempts failed. Some patients at high risk with known peritoneal adhesions or previous lower abdominal midline scars did not undergo preinsufflation, and the trocarless TVC was applied directly. Surgery was postponed in 3 patients in whom insufflation failed, to enable further counseling and appropriate consenting. There were no serious abdominal wall or intraabdominal vascular injuries. One transverse colon, densely adhered to the umbilical region, was injured, which was recognized and repaired intraoperatively. Residents, fellows, or faculty recorded entry-related data on forms postoperatively for study and analysis.nnnCONCLUSIONSnEstablishing peritoneal ports with the trocarless TVC is feasible, reproducible, and seems to be highly adoptable.

Transvaginal Doppler-Guided Uterine Artery Occlusion for the Treatment of Symptomatic Fibroids: Summary Results From Two Pilot Studies

OBJECTIVEnTo evaluate the feasibility, safety, and short-term efficacy of bilateral uterine artery occlusion, using a transvaginal Doppler-guided vascular clamp as a minimally invasive therapy for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas.nnnMETHODSnWe conducted two prospective, non-randomized, phase I pilot studies (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2) at a university-affiliated teaching hospital. Between June 2004 and May 2005, 30 premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas underwent bilateral uterine artery occlusion using a transvaginal Doppler-guided vascular clamp. Bilateral uterine artery occlusion was performed for 5.8 +/- 1.4 hours in the first 17 patients (Group 1) and from 6 to 9 hours (mean 7.05 +/- 1.0 hours) in the latter 13 patients (Group 2). Outcome measures included dominant fibroid volume (cm(3)), uterine volume (cm(3)), and improvement of menorrhagia at one, three, and six months.nnnRESULTSnBilateral occlusion of the uterine arteries was achieved in all 30 patients. In Group 1, the Ruta Menorrhagia Severity Scores decreased from baseline by 16%, 22% and 39% at one, three, and six months respectively. The dominant fibroid (DF) and uterine volumes decreased by 24% and 16% respectively at six months. In Group 2, the Ruta scores changed from baseline by +3%, -24%, and -42% at one, three, and six months respectively. The DF and uterine volumes decreased by 29% and 16%, respectively at six months.nnnCONCLUSIONnFollowing bilateral uterine artery occlusion using a transvaginal Doppler clamp, the dominant fibroid volume decreased by an average of 24%, uterine volume decreased by 12%, and menorrhagia symptoms were reduced by up to 42%. Uterine artery occlusion may provide the gynaecologist with an alternative to uterine artery embolization (UAE). The system is simple, easy to apply, and short-term efficacy may be equivalent to UAE.

Fertility and pregnancy outcomes following uterine artery embolization (UAE) for uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

A 19-year-old patient presented with intractable uterine bleeding, 11xa0weeks post-abortion. A pelvic ultrasound with Doppler and color imaging suggested a uterine arteriovenous malformation. Failing conservative therapies, the patient consented to uterine artery embolization (UAE). Two months later, she conceived and had an uneventful normal vaginal delivery at term. Since this is an extremely rare condition, allowing limited clinical exposure and experience, there may be an underlying reluctance by general practitioners to treat these cases with uterine artery embolization for fear of compromising future fertility and pregnancies. However, data from the 20 pregnancies embolized for uterine AVM cited in the present report and data from embolization for uterine fibroids indicate that such fears may be unfounded since pregnancy rates and outcomes may not be compromised after UAE.

Randomized Comparison of Goserelin Versus Suction Curettage Prior to Thermachoice II Balloon Endometrial Ablation: One-year Results

OBJECTIVESnTo evaluate the clinical outcomes following the use of goserelin and suction curettage prior to ThermaChoice II balloon endometrial ablation to treat menorrhagia.nnnMETHODSnQualified patients (n = 105) were randomized to receive either goserelin 3.6 mg one month before or suction curettage immediately before undergoing thermal balloon endometrial ablation. All patients had negative Papanicolaou smears, normal endometrial histology, and normal findings on transvaginal sonography. Uterine bleeding was documented by menstrual diary scores at baseline (Higham score > 150), and at three, six, and 12 months after the procedure. Five patients withdrew prior to surgery and 50 patients were anaesthetized in each group. Two patients in the suction curettage group had their management converted to hysteroscopic ablation, one because of a large uterine cavity (> 12 mL) and one because of a submucous myoma. The ThermaChoice II system circulated the liquid within the silicone balloon for eight minutes at approximately 180 mmHg pressure and 87°C.nnnRESULTSnParticipants mean age, weight, and duration of menorrhagia were not significantly different between the groups. No safety issues related to the device were noted. At one year after ablation, the median reduction in Higham score was from 286 to 10 (96.5%) in the goserelin group (n = 47), and from 272 to 14 (94.9%) in the curettage group (n = 45). The combined amenorrhea/hypomenorrhea rates (higham score 0 to 35), eumenorrhea rate (higham score 36 to 75) and menorrhagia rate (higham score > 75) were 85%, 9%, and 6% (goserelin), and 76%, 16%, 9% (curettage), respectively. Patients reported self-assessment of dysmenorrhea was none (51%), mild (30%), moderate (10%), and severe (9%) in both groups. Patient satisfaction was 89% in the goserelin group and 95% in the curettage group. In the goserelin group, one patient had a hysterectomy for bleeding and two had repeat resectoscopic endometrial ablations, one for pain (hematometra) and one for pain and bleeding. In the curettage group, one patient had repeat resectoscopic ablation, one patient withdrew, and one requested hormone therapy. The overall success rates were 88% in the goserelin group and 89% in the curettage group.nnnCONCLUSIONnAt one year after ThermaChoice II treatment, 88.5% of women had normal menstrual bleeding or less. There was a non-significant trend (a lower Higham score) towards superiority of goserelin therapy before ablation compared with curettage.