Burak Zeybek

Innovative technique for enclosed morcellation using a surgical glove.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an innovative approach for enclosed morcellation using a surgical glove in multiport laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Power morcellation was performed within an insufflated surgical glove in a completely enclosed manner between January and May 2014. The specimen was placed into the glove within the abdomen. The glove opening and thumb were exteriorized through the umbilical and left lower abdominal trocar incisions, respectively. The optical trocar and optic were inserted into the glove, which was then insufflated. The thumb tip was cut, and a power morcellator was inserted through this finger. The morcellation was accomplished within the completely enclosed glove. The thumb tip was closed, and the glove, containing residual specimens and bloody fluid, was removed from the abdomen through the umbilical incision. Thus, the risks of bag piercing and leakage during contained power morcellation were eliminated. Demographic and operative data were collected and analyzed for all cases. RESULTS: Thirty multiport laparoscopic myomectomy and morcellation procedures were performed during the study period. The median operative time was 85 minutes (range 60–140 minutes). The median morcellation preparation time, total morcellation time, and withdrawal time were 6 (range 4.5–14), 32 (range 15–55), and 1.2 (range 1–1.5) minutes, respectively. No intraoperative complications or bag ruptures were recorded. CONCLUSION: With our innovative technique, a disposable latex glove can be used for an enclosed morcellation that avoids piercing the enclosure container within the abdominal cavity, thereby offering decreased risks related to bag perforation and leakage compared with previous contained power morcellation techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Contained Morcellation: Review of Current Methods and Future Directions

Power morcellation of surgical specimen during laparoscopic surgery is a practical technology that provides the opportunity to perform several minimally invasive procedures. However, this technology brought forward additional risks and complications associated with dissemination of both benign and malignant tissues inside the abdominal cavity. Based on startling cases, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a discouraging statement on the use of power morcellators that decreased the number of minimally invasive approaches in the following period. As a response to these concerns and negative impacts of the FDA statement, researchers developed several new approaches resulting in contained or in-bag morcellation methods. In this review, we aimed to discuss these current methods and provide an insight for future developments.

Restless legs syndrome is related to obstructive sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy

BackgroundTo investigate the relation between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy.MethodsA questionnaire consisting of diagnostic criteria of restless legs syndrome, demographic characteristics, personal behavior, muscle cramps during pregnancy, past medical illnesses, family history of RLS, and the major symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was administered during a face-to-face interview. Pregnant women with and without RLS were compared in terms of serum hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium, phosphor, iron, folate, vitamin B12 levels, and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of two of the obstructive sleep apnea symptoms (witnessed apnea and fatigue) (p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found with regard to serum calcium, magnesium, iron, hemoglobin, hematocrit, vitamin B12, phosphor, and folate levels; however, there were significant differences in terms of total iron-binding capacity.ConclusionsIncreasing awareness of restless legs syndrome among obstetricians is essential as it might be related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, which is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Analysis of the learning curve for robotic hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease

The objective was to evaluate the learning curve for performing a robotic hysterectomy to treat benign gynaecological disease.

Management of the Jehovah's witness in obstetrics and gynecology: A comprehensive medical, ethical, and legal approach

Importance Obstetricians and gynecologists frequently deal with hemorrhage so they should be familiar with management of patients who refuse blood transfusion. Although there are some reports in the literature about management of Jehovahs Witness patients in obstetrics and gynecology, most of them are case reports, and a comprehensive review about these patients including ethicolegal perspective is lacking. Objective This review outlines the medical, ethical, and legal implications of management of Jehovahs Witness patients in obstetrical and gynecological settings. Evidence Acquisition A search of published literature using PubMed, Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted about physiology of oxygen delivery and response to tissue hypoxia, mortality rates at certain hemoglobin levels, medical management options for anemic patients who refuse blood transfusion, and ethical/legal considerations in Jehovahs Witness patients. Results Early diagnosis of anemia and immediate initiation of therapy are essential in patients who refuse blood transfusion. Medical management options include iron supplementation and erythropoietin. There are also some promising therapies that are in development such as antihepcidin antibodies and hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers. Options to decrease blood loss include antifibrinolytics, desmopressin, recombinant factor VII, and factor concentrates. When surgery is the only option, every effort should be made to pursue minimally invasive approaches. Conclusion and Relevance All obstetricians and gynecologists should be familiar with alternatives and “less invasive” options for patients who refuse blood transfusions. Target Audience Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians Learning Objectives After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to explain the oxygen delivery systems and response to tissue hypoxia mechanisms in humans, recognize options to correct anemia in Jehovahs Witness patients, recognize agents that are used in certain clinical scenarios in obstetrics and gynecology setting to reduce blood loss in patients who are refusing blood transfusion, and identify ethical/legal considerations for Jehovahs Witness patients.

Single Incision Trans-Umbilical Total Hysterectomy: Robotic or Laparoscopic?

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the early surgical outcomes in patients who underwent total hysterectomy with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS-TH) versus robotic single-site total hysterectomy (RSS-TH). Methods: Twenty-four patients who underwent RSS-TH and thirty-four patients who underwent LESS-TH were retrospectively evaluated. Patient characteristics, operation time, intraoperative data (conversions, complications, estimated blood loss, etc.) and postoperative pain scores were compared. Results: The total operation time was significantly longer in the robotic surgery group, with a time of 98.5 vs. 86 min (p = 0.013), while vaginal closure time was significantly higher in the laparoscopic surgery group (p = 0.011). Intraoperative outcomes and postoperative pain scores were similar in the two groups. Conclusion: RSS-TH helps surgeons to overcome the technical disadvantages of LESS-TH, particularly vaginal cuff closure, ergonomics and instrument crowding and clashing. Early surgical outcomes are comparable in the two groups, and both techniques are safe and feasible.

Robot-assisted abdominal cerclage during pregnancy

Background and Objectives: Cervical insufficiency is a difficult condition to diagnose and can lead to preterm birth, miscarriage, or perinatal infant morbidity and mortality. We conducted this retrospective case study and literature review to evaluate the safety and efficacy of robot-assisted abdominal cerclage during pregnancy. Methods: We conducted a case series and a systematic review that included patients who underwent robot-assisted abdominal cerclage during pregnancy from January 2010 through March 2016. Results: Six patients met the criteria for the case series. Median age was 34 years (range, 28–37) at the time of the procedure. In 5 cases, the indication for transabdominal cerclage was a failed vaginal cerclage in a previous pregnancy, whereas a scarred and shortened cervix caused by a previous dilatation and curettage–induced cervical laceration was the indication in the remaining case. Median operating time was 159.5 minutes (range, 124–204), and median estimated blood loss was 25 mL (range, 10–25). No surgeries were converted to laparotomies; all patients were discharged on postoperative day 1. The median gestational age at delivery was 37.5 weeks (range, 22–39). Five patients delivered between 36 and 39 weeks. No patients had chorioamnionitis or preterm premature rupture of membranes. One patient went into preterm labor at 22 weeks, and the cerclage was removed via minilaparotomy. Eight articles met the criteria for systematic review. Sixteen patients underwent robot-assisted abdominal cerclage during pregnancy. Median age was 31.5 years (range, 25–37). The major indication in most articles was previous failed transvaginal cerclage. The median gestational ages at time of procedure and delivery were 12 weeks (range, 10–15) and 37 weeks (range, 33–39), respectively. Conclusion: Robot-assisted abdominal cerclage is safe and effective during pregnancy.

Therapeutic Roles of Statins in Gynecology and Obstetrics: The Current Evidence

Introduction: Statins are a class of drugs, which act by inhibiting the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase). The inhibition of mevalonate synthesis leads to subsequent inhibition of downstream products of this pathway, which explains the pleiotropic effects of these agents in addition to their well-known lipid-lowering effects. Accumulating evidence suggests that statins might be beneficial in various obstetric and gynecologic conditions. Methods: Literature searches were performed in PubMed and EMBASE for articles with content related to statins in obstetrics and gynecology. The findings are hereby reviewed and discussed. Results: Inhibition of mevalonate pathway leads to subsequent inhibition of downstream products such as geranyl pyrophosphate, farnesyl pyrophosphate, and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. These products are required for proper intracellular localization of several proteins, which play important roles in signaling pathways by regulating membrane trafficking, motility, proliferation, differentiation, and cytoskeletal organization. The pleiotropic effects of statins can be summarized in 4 categories: antiproliferative, anti-invasive, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic. The growing body of evidence is promising for these agents to be beneficial in endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, adhesion prevention, ovarian cancer, preeclampsia, and antiphospholipid syndrome. Although in vivo studies showed varying degrees of benefit on fibroids and preterm birth, appropriately designed clinical trials are needed to make definitive conclusions. Conclusion: Statins might play a role in the treatment of endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, adhesion prevention, ovarian cancer, preeclampsia, and antiphospholipid syndrome.

High-dose atorvastatin ameliorates the uterine microenvironment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate whether atorvastatin can ameliorate the uterine microenvironment in diabetes mellitus. Six non-diabetic (control) and 12 diabetic mature female Sprague–Dawley albino rats were used in this study. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injections of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin, and 10 mg/kg/day of oral atorvastatin was administered for 4 weeks via orogastric tubes. The animals were euthanized, and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Bilateral hysterectomy was performed for the histopathologic examination. Endometrial gland degeneration and stromal fibrosis scores concomitant with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoexpressions were analyzed. The endometrial gland degeneration scores, stromal fibrosis scores and VEGF immunoexpression was significantly lower, and the EGFR immunoexpression was significantly higher in the atorvastatin-treated diabetic rats when compared to the non-treated diabetic group, suggesting that atorvastatin ameliorates the uterine microenvironment in diabetes mellitus. Chinese abstract 本研究的主要目的为探讨阿托伐他汀能否改善糖尿病患者子宫微环境6只非糖尿病（对照）和12只糖尿病成熟雌性SD大鼠被用于这项研究。通过60 mg/kg链脲霉素对大鼠腹腔内注射诱导糖尿病，并按照10 mg/kg/天的剂量灌胃给予口服阿托伐他汀共四周。对大鼠进行安乐死术，通过心脏采血的方式获取血液样本并进行生化分析，行双子宫切除术用作组织病理学检查。同时亦对大鼠子宫内膜腺体退化评分、间质纤维化评分及表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的免疫表达进行了分析。与未接受处理糖尿病大鼠组相比，阿托伐他汀组大鼠内膜退化评分，间质纤维化评分及VEGF免疫表达明显降低，而EGFR免疫表达明显升高。说明阿托伐他汀可改善糖尿病大鼠子宫微环境。

Understanding the Legal Essentials of a Bowel Injury Lawsuit in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Bowel injury is a known inherent complication of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery; however, it does not automatically signify medical malpractice. Plaintiff attorneys representing patients seeking legal recourse from a bowel injury typically allege claims of intraoperative negligence, delay in diagnosis, or lack of informed consent in an effort to circumvent the assertion that it is a known inherent complication. In addition, damage awards in bowel injury lawsuits can easily exceed the amount covered by the policy limits of a medical malpractice insurance plan, leaving the gynecologist financially responsible for the difference. Therefore, it is crucial to understand when it may be appropriate to consent to a settlement offer, which can relieve the gynecologist from financial liability for amounts awarded above the medical malpractice policy limits. The purpose of this medical-legal review is to make minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons more aware of the legal strategies used by plaintiff attorneys representing patients who have incurred bowel injuries, and how to limit liability in lawsuits.