Thoralf Schollmeyer

Principles and safety measures of electrosurgery in laparoscopy.

This report stresses that a thorough knowledge of electrosurgical fundamentals by the entire operative team is essential for patient safety and recognizing potential complications.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy.

Background Implantation of the zygote outside the uterine cavity occurs in 2% of all pregnancies. The product of conception can be removed safely by laparoscopic surgery and be submitted for histological examination. The rate of ectopic pregnancies has increased from 0.5% in 1970 to 2% today. The prevalence of ectopic pregnancy in all women presenting to an emergency department with first-trimester bleeding, lower abdominal pain, or a combination of the 2 is between 6% and 16%. Designation Workup of all localizations of ectopic pregnancies at a university department of obstetrics and gynecology. Methods Comparison of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities from the surgical laparoscopic approach to nonsurgical, medical options. Findings Surgical treatment: Tubal pregnancies: (1) to preserve tubal function, salpingotomy, partial salpingectomy followed by laparoscopic anastomosis, or fimbrial milking is performed. (2) Tubectomy or salpingectomy is performed only in severely damaged or ruptured tubes or if the patient does not desire further pregnancies. Nontubal ectopic pregnancies (ovarian pregnancy, ectopic abdominal pregnancy, interstitial or cornual pregnancy/rudimentary horn, intraligamental and cervical pregnancies) all require their own specific treatment. Medical treatment The predominant drug is methotrexate, but other systemic drugs, such as actinomycin D, prostaglandins, and RU 486, can also be applied. Complications Tubal rupture is a complication of late diagnosed tubal pregnancy that is more difficult to treat conservatively and often indicates tubectomy or segmental resection. In 5% to 15% of treated ectopic pregnancy cases, remnant conception product parts may require a final methotrexate injection. Conclusions This article is a review to aid clinical diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies that now can be diagnosed earlier and treated effectively by laparoscopic surgery. Target Audience Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians Learning Objectives After completing this CME activity, obstetricians and gynecologists should be better able to diagnose ectopic pregnancy in its early stages to provide safe treatment, choose the appropriate treatment for patients with ectopic pregnancy, and identify the role that human chorionic gonadotropin plays in ectopic pregnancy.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy: challenges and limitations.

Twenty years after the first description of vaginal hysterectomy with laparoscopic assistance by Kurt Semm in 1984 (1), and 16 years after the publication of the so‐called laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) by Harry Reich in 1989 (2), it is time to review and evaluate the real benefits of laparoscopic hysterectomy. Although laparoscopic surgery is well accepted by gynaecologists worldwide for the treatment of certain gynaecological conditions, laparoscopic hysterectomy in Germany, and probably worldwide, is still only performed by a few specialists. Highly skilled surgical techniques, longer operating time and expensive technology are suggested to be the deterring factors. Laparoscopic hysterectomy, in its different forms, is an attractive and safe procedure for the management of benign gynaecological conditions and many authorities recommend its use on a larger extent. On the other hand, in our opinion, the use of laparoscopic hysterectomy for oncological indications is still controversial. Extensive experience of over 15 years, of the first author, in practising and teaching various forms laparoscopic hysterectomy, namely, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), classic intrafascial supracervical hysterectomy (CISH) and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH), has led us to the firm conclusion that these techniques are advantageous to patients if performed for the appropriate indication. In particular, subtotal or supracervical hysterectomy, with the cervix remaining in its place, is associated with fewer complications and a very favourable outcome for the patient. Radical laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy (RLVH), the last variant in our exposé, is only successful in an experts hands. The surgical techniques of these varieties of laparoscopic hysterectomies will be described and illustrated in detail in this paper.

Combined Surgical and Hormone Therapy for Endometriosis is the Most Effective Treatment: Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate 3 therapy strategies: hormone therapy, surgery, and combined treatment. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled study (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING University-based teaching hospital. PATIENTS Four hundred fifty patients with genital endometriosis, aged 18 to 44 years, before first laparoscopy. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: hormone therapy, surgery, or combined treatment. Patients were reevaluated at second-look laparoscopy, at 2 to 2 months after 3-month hormone therapy in groups 1 and 3 and at 5 to 6 months in group 2 (surgical treatment alone). Outcome data were focussed on the endometriosis stage, recurrence of symptoms, and pregnancy rate. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS All treatment options, independent of the initial Endoscopic Endometriosis Classification stage, achieved an overall cure rate of ≥50%. A cure rate of 60% was achieved with the combined treatment, 55% with exclusively hormone therapy, and 50% with exclusively surgical treatment. Recurrence of symptoms was lowest in patients who received combined treatment. Significant benefit was achieved for dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. An overall pregnancy rate of 55% to 65% was achieved, with no significant difference between the therapeutic options. CONCLUSION In the quest to find the most effective treatment of genital endometriosis, this clinical randomized study shows the lowest incidence of recurrence with combined surgical and medical treatment and improved pregnancy rate in any medically treated patients with or without surgery. The highest cure rate (Endoscopic Endometriosis Classification stage 0) for endometriosis was also achieved in the combined treatment group.

Complications of Uterine Fibroids and Their Management, Surgical Management of Fibroids, Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy versus Hysterectomy, Haemorrhage, Adhesions, and Complications

A critical analysis of the surgical treatment of fibroids compares all available techniques of myomectomy. Different statistical analyses reveal the advantages of the laparoscopic and hysteroscopic approach. Complications can arise from the location of the fibroids. They range from intermittent bleedings to continuous bleedings over several weeks, from single pain episodes to severe pain, from dysuria and constipation to chronic bladder and bowel spasms. Very seldom does peritonitis occur. Infertility may result from continuous metro and menorrhagia. The difficulty of the laparoscopic and hysteroscopic myomectomy lies in achieving satisfactory haemostasis using the appropriate sutures. The hysteroscopic myomectomy requires an operative hysteroscope and a well-experienced gynaecologic surgeon.

Laparoscopic Intracapsular Myomectomy: Comparison of Single Versus Multiple Fibroids Removal. An Institutional Experience

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare single versus multiple laparoscopic myomectomy with an intracapsular method. STUDY DESIGN A total of 335 laparoscopic intracapsular myomectomies were compared. They were subdivided into two groups. Group I included 195 patients with myoma; group II, 140 patients with multiple myomas, 4-9 cm in diameter. Laparoscopic procedures were compared with respect to intraoperative complications, postoperative compliance, and general surgical feedback. Results were analyzed using SAS software (version 8), considering a P-value of <0.05 as significant. RESULTS No differences (P>0.05) between groups were observed with respect to the following: intraoperative blood loss (98 ± 4.7 mL of group I versus 106 ± 6.8 mL of group II), catheter inside pelvis for postsurgical drainage (40% versus 36.4% women), analgesic administration for the first 24 hours (41.5% versus 40% patients), postoperative fever after 24 hours (11.2% versus 9.2% women), postoperative therapeutic antibiotics administration (8.2% versus 6.4% patients), and hospitalization and postoperative ultrasound (US) intramyometrial hematoma detection (6.6% versus 5.7% of group II). The only surgical statistical difference (P<0.05) was in the mean total laparoscopic time (60 ± 7.2 minutes for group I versus 97 ± 8.9 minutes for group II). CONCLUSIONS Intracapsular laparoscopic myomectomies, performed in the same session on a single or on multiple fibroids, seem to preserve myometrial integrity and allow the restoration of uterine scar, with few early and late surgical complications.

Robotic assistance in gynecological oncology

Purpose of review The da Vinci robot has proved to be the most advanced surgical system in gynecology. In this review we evaluated the possibilities of applying robotic assistance to improve gynecological endoscopic oncological surgery. Recent findings A literature survey on robotic-assisted gynecological oncology clearly supports the use of the da Vinci surgical system in laparoscopic oncological surgery. Robotic precision in tumor excision, easier intracorporal suturing and favorable ergonomics for the surgeon make the da Vinci robot particularly suitable for performing complex laparoscopic microinvasive surgical operations in gynecological oncology. Summary Robotic surgery combines the advantages of open surgery and endoscopic surgery. In our opinion, robotic surgery may lead to better results than conventional laparoscopic surgery, particularly in the field of gynecological oncology. However, this opinion has yet to be confirmed by randomized studies.

Impact of surgical approach on blood loss during intracapsular myomectomy

Abstract Background: Myomectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in gynecology and has implications on fertility and subsequent pregnancies. We compared the impact of surgical approach on blood loss during laparoscopic and abdominal intracapsular myomectomy. Material and methods: The evaluation comprised 124 fertile women with subserous or intramural myomas: 66 patients treated by laparoscopy and 58 patients treated by laparotomy. The intracapsular myoma enucleation technique was similar for both approaches. All procedures were analyzed for the evaluation of intra- and post-surgical blood loss and intra- and short-term post-operative surgical outcomes. Results: The operating time for laparoscopic intracapsular myomectomy was longer (95 ± 7.2 min vs. 63 ± 5.6, p < 0.0001), but was associated with reduced intra- (65 ± ml vs. 105 ± 5, p < 0.0001) and post-surgical blood loss (30 ± 5 vs. 60 ± 5 ml, p < 0.0001), as well as diminished application of pain relief medication (8 patients vs. 17, p < 0.05), compared to open intracapsular myomectomy. Conclusions: The surgical approach did not substantially affect the technique of intracapsular myomectomy; however, laparoscopy significantly reduced intra- and postoperative blood loss and resulted in better short-term outcomes than after open surgery. Our results underscore the advantages of trying to reduce the rate of laparotomic myomectomy, one of the leading surgical interventions associated with infertility and sterility.

The past, present and future of minimally invasive endoscopy in gynecology: A review and speculative outlook

Abstract Over the last twenty-five years, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has evolved in a relatively short period of time to overtake the centuries-old visionary and pioneering groundwork of our outstanding colleagues in all surgical disciplines. This overview on the development of gynecological endoscopy, at the invitation of SMIT, highlights past achievements and describes present challenges. It emphasizes future opportunities and possibilities to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and integrate emerging endoscopic, imaging and stereotactic surgical technologies to improve patient safety, enhance quality of care and advance surgical education. This article will introduce younger colleagues to the exciting world of contemporary gynecologic endoscopy and help them appreciate the immense technology-laden opportunities that the future holds for those who are prepared to follow in the footsteps and aspirations of our founding surgical colleagues.

Chronic isolated torsion of the left fallopian tube: a diagnostic dilemma

BackgroundChronic tubal torsion is a rare clinical entity.CaseA 15-year-old adolescent presented with an 18-month history of intermittent lower abdominal pain at our outpatient department after various preceding consultations with different physicians. She was asymptomatic and showed no abnormality on physical examination. Ultrasound findings revealed a cystic structure adjacent to the left ovary. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed a twisted and dilated left fallopian tube with thickened wall and adherence to the pelvic sidewall. Following detorsion, there was no evidence of reperfusion. Consequently, a left salpingectomy was performed.ConclusionChronic tubal torsion is a rare but possible differential diagnosis of current lower abdominal pain. Physicians should have a high index of suspicion.