Cherie Marfori

Comparison of methods of morcellation: manual versus power

With the growing controversy surrounding power morcellation (PM), other approaches must be examined so that women may still benefit from minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries. In this study we sought to compare power morcellation to manual morcellation through mini‐laparotomy or vaginally.

Systematic Review of Transabdominal Cerclage Placed via Laparoscopy for the Prevention of Preterm Birth.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Multiple interventions are available to minimize this occurrence; however, despite current recommendations including medical management, cervical length screening, and transvaginal cerclage, a substantial number of women still experience preterm birth. For those patients, experts recommend transabdominal cerclage (TAC). In this systematic review, we compared 26 studies (1116 patients) of TAC placed via laparotomy (TAC-lap) and 15 studies (728 patients) of TAC placed via laparoscopy (TAC-lsc). There was no significant difference in overall neonatal survival between the TAC-lsc and TAC-lap groups (89.9% vs 90.8%, respectively; p = .80). When T1 losses were excluded, the neonatal survival rate was significantly higher for the TAC-lsc group (96.5% vs 90.1%; p < .01). In terms of obstetrical outcomes, the TAC-lsc group had a higher rate of deliveries at gestational age (GA) > 34 weeks (82.9% vs 76%; p < .01) and a lower rate of deliveries at GA 23.0 to 33.6 weeks (6.8% vs 14.8%; p < .01). The TAC-lsc group also had fewer T2 losses (3.2% vs 7.8%; p < .01). TAC-lsc offers all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery with better obstetrical outcomes compared with TAC-lap.

Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy for Uteri Greater Than One Kilogram.

Background and Objectives: To assess the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive hysterectomy for uteri >1 kg. Methods: Clinical and surgical characteristics were collected for patients in an academic tertiary care hospital. Included were patients who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy by 1 of 3 fellowship-trained gynecologists from January 1, 2009, to July 1, 2015 and subsequently had confirmed uterine weights of 1 kg or greater on pathology report. Both robotic and conventional laparoscopic procedures were included. Results: During the study period, 95 patients underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy with confirmed uterine weight over 1 kg. Eighty-eight percent were performed with conventional laparoscopy and 12.6% with robot-assisted laparoscopy. The median weight (range) was 1326 g (range, 1000–4800). The median estimated blood loss was 200 mL (range, 50–2000), and median operating time was 191 minutes (range, 75–478). Five cases were converted to laparotomy (5.2%). Four cases were converted secondary to hemorrhage and one secondary to extensive adhesions. There were no conversions after 2011. Intraoperative transfusion was given in 6.3% of cases and postoperative transfusion in 6.3% of cases. However, after 2013, the rate of intraoperative transfusion decreased to 1.0% and postoperative transfusion to 2.1%. Of the 95 cases, there were no cases with malignancy. Conclusions: This provides the largest case series of hysterectomy over 1 kg completed by a minimally invasive approach. Our complication rate improved with experience and was comparable to other studies of minimally invasive hysterectomy for large uteri. When performed by experienced surgeons, minimally invasive hysterectomy for uteri >1 kg can be considered feasible and safe.

Diagnosis of Deeply Infiltrative Endometriosis: Accuracy of a Specific Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of a specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol in diagnosing the extent and location of deeply infiltrative endometriosis (DIE). Methods: A retrospective chart review of women age 20 to 51 years of age who had a preoperative evaluation suspicious for DIE base on: 1) preoperative examination showing a rectovaginal mass or nodularity, non-mobile uterus fixed to rectum, and/or an adnexal mass, 2) severe or cyclic dysuria, dyschezia, and/or dyspareunia, or 3) a history of prior surgery for advanced staged endometriosis. These women subsequently underwent an institution specific endometriosis protocol pelvic MRI. Our MRI endometriosis protocol uses a 1.5T machine which takes images in T2, T1 non- fat saturation, and a fat saturation T1 in axial orientation along all three planes pre and postcontrast. Slices are thinner in the T1 and T2 images using the endometriosis protocol compared to the standard protocol. Intra-operative data were collected for women who underwent surgery for endometriosis. MRI findings were compared with intraoperative findings. Twenty-six women who had high suspicion for DIE on our institution specific MRI and subsequently underwent a laparoscopic surgery by a single minimally invasive gynaecologic surgeon were included in our study. Results: Of the twenty-six women, who met criteria for our study, twenty-one were found to have DIE, two were found to have superficial endometriosis, and there was one case of a tubo-ovarian abscess. Two were found to have other pelvic pathology such as fibroids, cysts, adhesions, and/or fibrosis. For patients with a high preoperative suspicion of DIE, our MRI protocol had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 80%, PPV of 95%, NPV of 50%. Conclusions: Our standardized endometriosis MRI protocol predicts the extent of DIE. Benefits of MRI include potential to replace multiple imaging exams, improve preoperative planning, and aid in decision for referral to a specialized surgeon.

Hysterectomy for the Transgendered Male: Review of Perioperative Considerations and Surgical Techniques with Description of a Novel 2-Port Laparoscopic Approach

Transgendered individuals can suffer a significant amount of psychological distress that can be alleviated through hormonal treatments and/or gender-affirming surgery. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health considers a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy medically necessary gender-affirming procedures for the interested transgendered male. Several surgical approaches have been described in the literature, most of which endorse a laparoscopic approach. This review summarizes the available literature on surgical techniques in addition to reporting our institutional outcomes using a novel 2-port laparoscopic approach. Additional preoperative and perioperative considerations are needed when caring for this patient population and are reviewed.

Predictors of Overnight Admission after Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy in the Expert Setting

STUDY OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of overnight admission after laparoscopic and robot-assisted hysterectomy to improve preoperative counseling and patient optimization. DESIGN A single-center retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING Academic university hospital. PATIENTS Patients undergoing straight-stick laparoscopic and robot-assisted hysterectomy by fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons for benign indications INTERVENTIONS: Straight-stick laparoscopic and robot-assisted hysterectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Data from 396 consecutive minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures were collected for analysis. Three hundred twelve patients (79%) were discharged the same day, and 84 (21%) were admitted for at least 1 night. Data from the 2 groups were compared. Overnight stay compared with same-day discharge was associated with older age (47.3 vs 43.4 years, p < .001), lower preoperation hematocrit (35.8% vs 37.3%, p = .035), history of prior laparotomy (31% vs 14.1%, p = .003), prolonged operative time (190.5 vs 115.2 minutes, p < .001), estimated blood loss (244.6 vs 104.1 mL, p < .001), lysis of adhesion (27.4% vs 13.5%), and intraoperative organ injury (17% vs 3%, p = .005). Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for all included variables as confounders, showed that hematocrit increments of 5% were protective against any overnight stay (odds ratio, .622; p = .015), and a 30-minute increase in operative time increased the odds of an overnight stay by 1.6 (p < .001). History of a laparotomy remained a significant predictive factor for an overnight stay (odds ratio, 3.2; p = .006). Later surgery end time, in 60-minute increments, increased the odds of an overnight stay by 1.2 (p < .01). CONCLUSION Perioperative factors such as age, hematocrit, surgery time, and surgical history as well as intraoperative factors such as prolonged operative time are predictive of overnight hospital stay.

Angular vs. interstitial pregnancy: A case report highlighting diagnostic nuances with stark management differences

Background In the literature, the terms “angular”, “interstitial” and “cornual” have often been inappropriately interchanged. The consequence is under-recognition of their differences as well as inaccurate imaging guidelines which do not reliably distinguish them as distinct entities. Angular pregnancies should be considered viable and may be managed to term. Case A woman at 7w5d was transferred for surgical management of a presumed interstitial ectopic pregnancy. Sonography and MRI confirmed an eccentric fundal pregnancy with a thin myometrial mantle of 2–5 mm; the diagnosis of interstitial pregnancy was favored. Upon laparoscopy, the round ligament was displaced lateral to the pregnancy bulge and the diagnosis of angular pregnancy was thus apparent. The pregnancy was continued to term and delivered via repeat cesarean section without incident. Conclusion Angular and interstitial pregnancies are different entities which cannot always be reliably distinguished via imaging alone. Diagnostic laparoscopy may be a final step in determining pregnancy location. Angular pregnancies should be considered potentially viable and may be managed to term.

Determining the Effect of External Stressors on Laparoscopic Skills and Performance Between Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of stress on laparoscopic skills between obstetrics and gynecology residents. DESIGN Observational prospective cohort study. DESIGN CLASSIFICATION Prospective cohort. SETTING Urban teaching university hospital. PARTICIPANTS (PATIENTS) Thirty-one obstetrics and gynecology residents, postgraduate years 1 to 4. INTERVENTION We assessed 4 basic laparoscopic skills at 2 sessions. The first session was the baseline; 6 months later the same skills were assessed under audiovisual stressors. We compared the effect of stress on accuracy and efficiency between the 2 sessions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A linear model was used to analyze time. Under stress, residents were more efficient in 3 of the 4 modules. Ring transfer (hand-eye coordination and bimanual dexterity), p = 0.0304. Ring of fire (bimanual dexterity and measure of depth perception), p = 0.0024 and dissection glove (respect of delicate tissue planes), p = 0.0002. Poisson regression was used to analyze the total number of penalties. Residents were more likely to acquire penalties under stress. Ring transfer, p = 0.0184 and cobra (hand-to-hand coordination), p = 0.0487 yielded a statistically significant increase in penalties in the presence of stressors. Dissection glove p = 0.0605 yielded a nonsignificant increase in penalties. CONCLUSION Our work confirmed that while under stress residents were more efficient, this translated into their ability to complete tasks faster in all the tested skills. Efficiency, however, came at the expense of accuracy.

Feasibility, Safety, and Prediction of Complications for Complex Minimally Invasive Myomectomy [12J]

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to assess perioperative outcomes and predict complications for complex minimally invasive myomectomy. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach to myomectomy by three fellowship-trained surgeons from April 2011 to December 2014. RESULTS: The cohort included 221 patients, of which 47.5% had laparoscopic myomectomy and 52.5% had a robotic myomectomy. The mean (SD) specimen weight in grams, dominant myoma diameter in centimeters, and number of myomata removed were 408.1 (384.9), 9.6 (5.1), and 4.5 (4.1), respectively. The total complication rate was 10.4%. The rate of hemorrhage was 8.6% and the rate of transfusion was 4.1%. These accounted for most complications. Women with complications had larger dominant myoma diameter (mean [SD] in cm 15.2 [6.4] versus 9.5 [4.49], P=.002), and greater number of myomata removed (mean [SD] 6.7 [6.3] versus 4.3 [3.7], P=.031). A logistic regression model combining both diameter of dominant myoma and number of myomata removed reliably predicted complications while minimizing false positives. CONCLUSION: Our cohort had higher specimen weights, larger dominant myoma diameter, and number of myomata removed in comparison to other reports of MIS myomectomy. Complication rates remained equivalent and hemorrhage and transfusion were the most prevalent. A combination of diameter of dominant myoma and number of myomata removed predicted complications while minimizing false positives. Both factors can be easily defined prior to surgery and can be potentially used to guide referral patterns, pre-operative counseling, and the implementation of preventative measures.