Christa Lewis

Predictive Validity of a Training Protocol Using a Robotic Surgery Simulator

Background Robotic surgery simulation may provide a way for surgeons to acquire specific robotic surgical skills without practicing on live patients. Methods Five robotic surgery experts performed 10 simulator skills to the best of their ability, and thus, established expert benchmarks for all parameters of these skills. A group of credentialed gynecologic surgeons naive to robotics practiced the simulator skills until they were able to perform each one as well as our experts. Within a week of doing so, they completed robotic pig laboratory training, after which they performed supracervical hysterectomies as their first-ever live human robotic surgery. Time, blood loss, and blinded assessments of surgical skill were compared among the experts, novices, and a group of control surgeons who had robotic privileges but no simulator exposure. Sample size estimates called for 11 robotic novices to achieve 90% power to detect a 1 SD difference between operative times of experts and novices (&agr; = 0.05). Results Fourteen novice surgeons completed the study—spending an average of 20 hours (range, 9.7–38.2 hours) in the simulation laboratory to pass the expert protocol. The mean operative times for the expert and novices were 20.2 (2.3) and 21.7 (3.3) minutes, respectively (P = 0.12; 95% confidence interval, −1.7 to 4.7), whereas the mean time for control surgeons was 30.9 (0.6) minutes (P < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval, 6.3–12.3). Comparisons of estimated blood loss (EBL) and blinded video assessment of skill yielded similar differences between groups. Conclusions Completing this protocol of robotic simulator skills translated to expert-level surgical times during live human surgery. As such, we have established predictive validity of this protocol.

Sexual function before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

Objective This study aimed to compare sexual function before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material. Methods This was a secondary analysis of sexual function measured before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in a group of 81 sexually active women participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing porcine dermis and polypropylene mesh. Sexual function was assessed using the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Responses to individual questions from the physical domain of the PISQ-12 were also analyzed. Additional information included the type of mesh material used and whether a concomitant suburethral sling or perineorrhaphy was performed. Results There was a significant postoperative improvement in total PISQ-12 scores for the entire cohort (33.2 vs 38.3, P < 0.01). Similarly, PISQ-12 scores were significantly improved in both groups (33.2 preoperative vs 37.4 one year postoperative in the porcine dermis, P < 0.01 and 33.2 vs 39.2 in the polypropylene mesh, P < 0.01). There were no differences between the 2 graft material groups. Preoperatively, 63.0% (48/76) of women reported avoiding sexual intercourse because of bulging in vagina (PISQ12-question #8), at 1 year postoperatively only 4% (3/76) had a positive response (P < 0.01). We observed a significant decrease in the number of women who reported pain during intercourse at 12 months as evidenced by the responses to the PISQ12-question #5, 47.4% (36/76) versus 26.3% (20/76) (P < 0.01). The addition of a suburethral sling or a perineorrhaphy did not negatively impact sexual function at 1 year. Conclusions Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy had a positive impact on sexual function at 1 year regardless of whether a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material was used.

Prospective Cohort Study of Bowel Function After Robotic Sacrocolpopexy

Objective This study aimed to determine bowel function changes 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy. Methods We performed a single-center prospective cohort study evaluating bowel function 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy between 2007 and 2011. Bowel function symptoms were measured by the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory, Short Form 8 (CRADI-8). Specific impacts on quality of life with regard to bowel function were evaluated using the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (CRAIQ-7). “Splinting to defecate” was defined as any positive response to question 4 of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 which reads, “do you ever have to push on the vagina or around the rectum to have or complete a bowel movement?.” Lastly, patients were grouped according to perineorrhaphy versus no perineorrhaphy and bowel function scores were examined. Results Of 423 consecutive patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy at our institution, 393 (93%) completed a 12-month follow-up. Mean CRADI-8 scores at baseline and 12 months were 21.1 (20) and 7.3 (11), respectively (P < 0.0001). Mean CRAIQ-7 scores at baseline and 12 months were 11.1 (20) and 2.4 (9), respectively (P < 0.0001). Preoperatively, 152 patients reported a need to splint the vagina or perineum to complete a bowel movement. At 12 months, 70% reported complete resolution of “splinting.” Con comitant perineorrhaphy was performed on 87 patients and there were no differences in 12-month CRADI-8 or CRAIQ-7 scores between groups. Conclusions Robotic sacrocolpopexy was associated with significant improvements in bowel function as measured by CRADI-8 as well as improvements in impact on quality of life as measured by CRAIQ-7.