Modification of Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Manual Tasks Simulation Curriculum With the Addition of the Vaginal Cuff Closure Training.

OBJECTIVE: Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) is a multiple-choice test and a manual skills exam using simulation that Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) residents must pass to qualify for board certification. There is insufficient validity evidence supporting the use of FLS as a high-stakes exam. This study examines the correlation between OBGYN residents' performance on the FLS manual tasks and simulated vaginal cuff closure. METHODS: We compared residents' performance on FLS tasks with simulated vaginal cuff suturing on a model. During the first coached simulation session, after completion of training on the standard 5 FLS tasks, residents were coached on vaginal cuff closure using a simulated model placed inside the standard FLS box trainer. At a subsequent session, their performance was scored using the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills Scale (GOALS) and a second task-specific metric, and these scores were compared to their official FLS score. RESULTS: Twenty-nine residents completed the vaginal cuff simulation training between June 2019 and November 2021. Nineteen of the 29 were able to complete the cuff closure with the mean time to completion being 14.5 minutes. We found no correlation between official manual skills FLS scores and vaginal cuff GOALS scores (rho = -0.02, p = 0.90) or cuff closure assessment tool score (rho = -0.015, p = 0.048). There was also no correlation between time to completion for any FLS task and vaginal cuff closure OSAT scores. All residents reported that they found the cuff to be a useful addition to the FLS curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that trainee performance on a simulated vaginal cuff closure model did not correlate with official FLS manual tasks skills. This finding adds to the body of evidence disputing the use of FLS as a high-stakes exam to assess laparoscopic skills in gynecology in the relationship with other variables category.

Outcomes after a Uterine-Sparing Approach to Essure Contraceptive Device Removal.

Background and Objective: To analyze long-term effectiveness of a conservative, uterine-sparing approach to laparoscopic Essure removal. Specific outcomes of interest include patient satisfaction, symptom resolution, and subsequent surgical intervention. Methods: A retrospective case series and follow-up survey. Patients who underwent laparoscopic Essure removal without concomitant hysterectomy between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 were identified. Greater than 18 months after removal participants completed a survey assessing outcomes. Results: Twenty-nine patients underwent conservative Essure removal and there were 19 survey respondents. Among survey respondents, the mean length of time from Essure placement to removal was 56.7 months (range 5 - 117), and the mean length of time from removal to survey administration was 48.3 months (range 23 - 63). The most frequently reported symptoms were pain (100%), bleeding (52.6%), headache (42.1%), and dyspareunia (42.1%). Methods for removal included laparoscopic salpingectomy (58.6%), a combined hysteroscopic and laparoscopic approach (34.4%), and cornuectomy (6.9%). Regarding symptom improvement after Essure removal, 47.4% of patients reported total improvement, 36.8% reported almost total improvement, 5.3% reported some improvement, and 10.5% reported no improvement. Most patients (89.5%) reported satisfaction with their surgical results, and only two patients required subsequent surgical intervention for symptom management. Conclusions: Most patients in our cohort reported total or almost total improvement in symptoms almost two years after Essure removal, with low rates of reintervention. A uterine-sparing approach to Essure removal, using laparoscopic and hysteroscopic modalities, may be a feasible and effective approach to addressing Essure-attributed symptoms.

Efficacy of Uterine Artery Embolization for Treatment of Anticoagulant-Associated Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Data regarding uterine artery embolization (UAE) to specifically treat anticoagulant-associated iatrogenic abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB-I) are sparse. This manuscript aimed to quantify the effectiveness of UAE in treating this subset of patients. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Academic hospital serving a large minority-majority population. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients with AUB-I that was provoked or aggravated by the initiation of anticoagulation therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment of anticoagulant-associated AUB-I that failed medical management or was acute with UAE rather than inferior vena cava filter placement and hysterectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An imaging database search was performed to identify patients who underwent UAE for anticoagulant-associated AUB-I from May 2011 to July 2020. Medical and radiologic records were reviewed. Short- and long-term outcomes were obtained to date, ranging from 10 months to 10 years after the procedure. In total, 24 patients were identified, ranging in age from 35 to 54 (mean 44.9) years. Venous thromboembolic disease was the most common (92%) indication for anticoagulation. At presentation, 14 patients (58%) were anticipated to require lifelong anticoagulation. Most UAE procedures (54%) occurred within 10 days of anticoagulation initiation. Before UAE, 17 patients (71%) attempted and failed medical management, myomectomy, or endometrial ablation to control bleeding. After UAE, 21 patients (88%) experienced substantial improvement or resolution of AUB and continued anticoagulation therapy. Three patients (14%) did not experience improvement and were treated with hysterectomy. Amenorrhea immediately after UAE occurred in 1 patient at age 45. CONCLUSION: UAE was an effective tool in the management of anticoagulant associated AUB-I in this cohort, resulting in decreased bleeding while allowing the continuation of anticoagulation therapy, with high rates of uterine preservation and preserved menses.

Trends in Opioid Prescriptions after Laparoscopic Sterilization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Examine trends in opioid prescriptions after laparoscopic sterilization over time, and identify any individual patient, provider, or procedural factors influencing prescribing. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort analysis of laparoscopic sterilizations between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 at Montefiore Medical Center. A review of the medical records was performed and information on patient demographics, comorbid conditions, and surgical characteristics were collected. The number of opioid pills prescribed postoperatively and any pain related patient calls, visits, or refills was recorded. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019, 615 laparoscopic sterilizations were performed. The median number of opioid pills prescribed was 10, ranging from 0 to 40. There was a significant decrease in the number of opioid pills prescribed (p < .0001) and refill incidence (p < .001) over time. Patients with a documented diagnosis of pelvic pain received significantly more opioid pills (p = .02), as did patients who underwent tubal occlusion versus salpingectomy (p = .01). There was no association between the number of opioid pills prescribed and other patient or procedural characteristics. Finally, the number of pills prescribed was not associated with urgent patient contact (p = .34). CONCLUSIONS: The overall number of opioid pills prescribed after laparoscopic sterilization decreased at our institution over time, which paralleled a decrease in refills and urgent postoperative patient contact. Further, few clinical characteristics influenced postoperative prescribing and there was no association between number of pills prescribed and urgent patient contact. These findings suggest excess prescribing and highlight the need to identify and adopt an evidenced-based approach to postsurgical opioid prescriptions.

Updates in uterine artery embolization for leiomyomas.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Uterine leiomyomas are a common condition estimated to affect 70-80% of reproductive-aged women. An evolving body of evidence continues to guide our understanding of various surgical and interventional treatment options, such as uterine artery embolization (UAE). This article provides an updated review of novel findings regarding UAE. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite an abundance of observational studies and several small randomized controlled trials, large scale long-term comparative efficacy studies are lacking. Although short-term outcomes continue to be favorable, recent trials show reoperation rate of up to 35% in 10 years and may raise some concerns regarding ovarian reserve, fertility and pregnancy outcomes. SUMMARY: UAE remains a safe and effective alternative to surgery in the management of leiomyomas. A deeper investigation into understanding this treatment's optimal use in various patient populations is needed.

A Retrospective Study of Risk Factors for Small Bowel Obstruction After Hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of small bowel obstruction (SBO) following hysterectomy and to identify factors that may increase the risk of SBO by route of hysterectomy. METHODS: A retrospective review of the electronic medical records of all hysterectomies completed between January 2011 through July 2013 at our institution was performed. Information on patient demographics, comorbid conditions, and surgical characteristics were collected. All cases were reviewed for documentation of SBO in the immediate or remote postoperative period, up to 5 years post-hysterectomy. RESULTS: Between January 2011 and July 2013, 1630 hysterectomies were performed at Montefiore Medical Center. A minimally invasive technique was employed for 49.8%, including 15.7% vaginal and 33.9% laparoscopic hysterectomies. Of these 1630 cases, 40 SBO's were documented; 30 after an abdominal approach and 10 after a minimally invasive approach. The overall incidence of SBO was 2.4%. A multivariable analysis adjusting for potential confounders demonstrated lower odds of SBO for the minimally invasive approaches combined, compared to abdominal hysterectomy (0.44, 95% confidence interval, 0.20, 0.98, p = .0444). Additional variables independently associated with development of SBO included intra-operative bowel injury and malignancy, whereas intra-operative blood loss and lysis of adhesions were not independently associated with SBO. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for confounders including malignancy, abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a significantly higher risk for SBO when compared to minimally invasive hysterectomy. Our study adds to the body of literature supporting a minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy when feasible.