Colpocleisis Techniques: An Open-and-shut Case for Advanced Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight several advanced surgical techniques for all types of colpocleisis. Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition that affects up to 40% of the postmenopausal female population.1,2 Particularly for women with advanced pelvic organ prolapse who no longer desire penetrative vaginal intercourse and with multiple medical comorbidities, the obliterative approach is preferred due to decreased anesthetic needs, operative time, and perioperative morbidity.3 Additionally, colpocleisis is associated with a greater than 95% long-term efficacy with low patient regret, high satisfaction, and improved body image.4,5 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The umbrella term of "colpocleisis" encompasses a uterine-sparing procedure, the LeFort colpocleisis, colpocleisis with hysterectomy, and posthysterectomy vaginal vault colpocleisis. We demonstrate the surgical steps of performing each type of colpocleisis as well as levator myorrhaphy and perineorrhaphy, which are typically included to reinforce the repair. RESULTS: To streamline the LeFort colpocleisis procedure, we demonstrate use of electrosurgery to mark out the epithelium and methods to create the lateral tunnels with LeFort colpocleisis with and without the use of a urinary catheter. We also present techniques that can be utilized across all types of colpocleisis including the push-spread technique for dissection, tissue retraction with Allis clamps and rubber bands on hemostat clamps to improve visualization, and approximation of the anterior and posterior vaginal muscularis to close existing space. Attention must be paid not to proceed past the level of the urethrovesical junction to avoid angulation of the urethra. We use an anatomic model to demonstrate appropriate suture placement during levator myorrhaphy to facilitate an adequate purchase of the levator ani muscles in order to adequately narrow the vaginal opening. Ultimately the goal of the colpocleisis procedure is a well-approximated, obliterated vagina, approximately 3 cm in depth and 1 cm in width. CONCLUSION: The skills demonstrated enable the surgeon to maximize efficiency and surgical outcomes for an effective obliterative procedure for advanced stage pelvic organ prolapse.

Ureteral Compromise in Laparoscopic Versus Vaginal Uterosacral Ligament Suspension: A Retrospective Cohort.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate if ureteral compromise is significantly different between laparoscopic and vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS). METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing all women who underwent laparoscopic and vaginal USLSs at 2 institutions (part of a single training program with procedures performed by 11 fellowship-trained Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery gynecologic surgeons) between January 2008 and June 2013. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients in the study underwent a USLS, 148 in the laparoscopic group and 60 in the vaginal group. At baseline, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in mean age (50.4 vs 55.3 years, P = 0.008), parity (2.44 vs 2.77, P = 0.040), and prior hysterectomy (3.4% vs 11.7% in the laparoscopic and vaginal groups, respectively; P = 0.042).There were no ureteral compromises in the laparoscopic group and 6 in the vaginal group (0.0% vs 10.0%, respectively; P < 0.001). In an analysis evaluating only those ureteral compromises requiring stent placement, the higher rate of ureteral compromise in the vaginal group persisted despite exclusion of those cases requiring only suture removal and replacement (0.0% vs 5.0% in the laparoscopic and vaginal groups, respectively; P = 0.023).There was a lower median blood loss in the laparoscopic group (137.5 vs 200.0 mL, respectively; P = 0.002) as well as a lower rate of readmission (0.7% vs 6.7%, respectively; P = 0.025). There were no other significant differences in postoperative complications between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found a lower rate of ureteral compromise in the laparoscopic approach to USLS compared with the traditional vaginal approach.

Laparoscopic colpotomy using monopolar electrocautery: does power really matter?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the extent and rate of vaginal tissue injury associated with the utilization of various monopolar electrosurgical power settings when laparoscopically transecting vaginal tissue. METHODS: This is an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee-approved prospective, paired, single-blinded study. Externalized porcine vagina was transected using monopolar energy at 30, 50, and 80 W in the cut mode with laparoscopic Endo Shears. The slides were prepared and stained with both hematoxylin-eosin and Masson trichrome and were examined by board-certified veterinary pathologists blinded to the study. RESULTS: There were 18 swine; each animal was tested on all 3 power settings (n = 54). Tissue injury was measured to a mean (SD) of 767 (519) µm at 30 W, 690 (600) µm at 50 W, and 556 (470) µm at 80 W. When comparing the monopolar settings, the results were as follows: 30 versus 50 W (P = 0.33), 30 versus 80 W (P = 0.067), and 50 versus 80 W (P = 0.17). The mean (SD) time for complete transection was measured at each power setting (n = 18), with 35.8 (5.4) seconds for 30 W, 13.5 (5.5) seconds for 50 W, and 8.4 (5.1) seconds for 80 W (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean (SD) rates of injury, with 20.8 (8.8) µm/s at 30 W, 39.8 (11.8) µm/s at 50 W, and 50.1 (19.2) µm/s at 80 W (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Using various power settings of monopolar energy may not make a significant difference in swine vaginal tissue damage at the time of colpotomy. However, there was a significant difference in the times and rates at which tissue was transected when using higher powers. We recommend using the 50- or 80-W setting, as this will likely decrease surgical times without altering vaginal tissue damage.

Magnification effects on distance estimation during robotic suturing.

We aimed to understand the impact of magnification on distance estimation during robotic suturing. Twenty subjects estimated the lengths of various sutures externally, in plain sight, to validate their ability to measure distances. They then robotically repaired a 3-cm cystotomy, suturing 10 mm above and below the incision and 10 mm on either side of the incision. The bladder was removed and distances measured. A total of 20 surgeons were analyzed: 7 residents, 8 fellows, and 5 staff. Specialties comprised four urologists, eight general gynecologists, two urogynecologists, three gynecologic oncologists, and three reproductive endocrinologists. The mean estimation for external suture length was not significant at 10 mm: mean = 9.6 (±3.2) mm (p = 0.59). When comparing these data sets, the externally visualized 10-mm suture versus the suture-to-suture and the suture-to-incision distances were both significantly different (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean distance between each suture was 6.5 (±1.8) mm, which was significantly different from the 10-mm goal (p < 0.001, 95 % confidence interval (CI) [-4.4,-2.6]). The mean distance from the suture to the incision was 4.1 (±1.0) mm, which was also statistically significantly different from the goal (p < 0.001, 95 % CI [-6.3,-5.4]). Surgical experience was negatively associated with suture-to-incision distance (r s = -0.53, p = 0.016). Inter-suture distance was also negatively associated with experience (r s = -0.30, p = 0.22), though not statistically significant. In vivo distances are significantly underestimated during robotic suture placement. Interestingly, the most experienced surgeons had the worst distance estimation from the incision to the suture.