Comparison of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery versus conventional surgery for uterosacral ligament suspension in patients who had concomitant vaginal hysterectomy for subtotal uterine prolapse.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) for uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) versus nonendoscopic USLS in patients with subtotal uterine prolapse who had a concomitant vaginal hysterectomy. METHODS: There were 51 patients who underwent vNOTES USLS, whereas the nonendoscopic conventional USLS group had 49 patients. The information about patient demographics, and perioperative data including the operative duration, blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and length of postoperative hospital stay were determined from the patients' files. Postoperative follow-up visits were scheduled at the first week and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: The demographic variables including age, body mass index, menopausal status, and parity were comparable, and no significant differences were found. A total of 90.2% of the patients in the vNOTES group and 69.4% of the patients in the shull group were at menopause (p = .09). Operation time was significantly shorter in the shull group (p < .001), and the hospitalization period (p = .029) was significantly shorter in the vNOTES group. Ba, Bp, and D points and total vaginal length (TVL) were significantly behind the hymenal ring in patients who had vNOTES USLS procedure (p < .001). None of the patients who had intraoperative significant blood loss required transfusion. One patient in the vNOTES and two patients in the shull group had a postoperative cuff hematoma. CONCLUSION: vNOTES USLS has a good safety profile, higher percentage of adnexal surgeries with better improvement on POP-Q points Ba, Bp, D, and TVL compared with classic USLS in patients with subtotal uterine prolapse. Studies evaluating short- and long-term results of vNOTES versus conventional USLS are needed.

Vaginal Hysterectomy and Pelvic Organ Prolapse: History and Recent Developments.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Vaginal hysterectomy (VH) was described as far back as 120 CE. However, it was not till the mid-1900s when reconstructive procedures were introduced to mitigate the risk of, or treat, pelvic organ prolapse in relation to VH. Furthermore, routine hysterectomy, particularly VH, has long been advocated in prolapse surgery. However, this indication is now questionable. METHODS: Literature review to provide an overview of current evidence and experts' opinion regarding the relationship between VH and pelvic organ prolapse. The review presents a historical perspective on the role of VH in the management of pelvic organ prolapse, the current debate on the usefulness of the procedure in this context, a practical guide on operative techniques used during VH and the impact of recent surgical developments on its use. RESULTS: Vaginal hysterectomy is a well-established technique that is still superior to laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign gynecological disease, although more surgically challenging. However, it is possible that some contemporary techniques, such as vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, may overcome some of these challenges, and hence increase the number of hysterectomies performed via the vaginal route. Although patients should be counselled about uterine-sparing reconstructive surgery, vaginal hysterectomy continues to be a major surgical procedure in reconstructive pelvic floor surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, it is prudent to continue to train residents in vaginal surgical skills to ensure that they continue to provide safe, cost-effective, and comprehensive patient care.

Same-day Discharge Following Vaginal Hysterectomy and Native-tissue Apical Repair for Uterovaginal Prolapse: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The safety and feasibility of same-day discharge (SDD) has been consistently reported across the benign and gynecologic oncology literature. However, outcomes of SDD in the urogynecology population are sparse. The objectives of this study were to describe the success of SDD following vaginal hysterectomy and native-tissue colpopexy, and to compare the incidence of postoperative adverse events in patients discharged same-day versus postoperative day 1 (POD1). Further objectives were to compare pain, quality of recovery (QoR), and satisfaction between the groups. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective cohort study of patients with planned SDD. A standardized ERAS protocol was utilized. The QoR-40 questionnaire was administered at baseline, POD2, and the 6-week postoperative visit. Pain scores were captured similarly, and a satisfaction survey was administered at 6 weeks. The primary outcome was composite adverse events defined as any postoperative adverse event and/or health care utilization, excluding telephone calls, and urinary tract infection. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were enrolled in the study; the primary outcome was available for 99. SDD was achieved for 76 patients (77.0%); 23 patients stayed overnight (23.2%). The overall incidence of composite adverse events was 20.2% (95% CI, 13.5-29.2), and was not different between the groups (26.1% vs 18.4%, p = 0.42). Additionally, there were no differences in the QoR-40 or pain scores on POD2 and at 6 weeks. Patient satisfaction was high and similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Successful SDD was achieved in 77.0% of the patients. SDD following vaginal hysterectomy and native-tissue colpopexy appears to be safe, feasible, and associated with good QoR and a high degree of patient satisfaction.

Three-year outcomes of a randomized clinical trial of perioperative vaginal estrogen as adjunct to native tissue vaginal apical prolapse repair.

BACKGROUND: As the muscular and connective tissue components of the vagina are estrogen responsive, clinicians may recommend vaginal estrogen to optimize tissues preoperatively and as a possible means to reduce prolapse recurrence, but long-term effects of perioperative intravaginal estrogen on surgical prolapse management are uncertain. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of perioperative vaginal estrogen vs placebo cream in reducing composite surgical treatment failure 36 months after native tissue transvaginal prolapse repair. STUDY DESIGN: This was an extended follow-up of a randomized superiority trial conducted at 3 tertiary US sites. Postmenopausal patients with bothersome anterior or apical vaginal prolapse were randomized 1:1 to 1-g conjugated estrogen cream (0.625 mg/g) or placebo, inserted vaginally twice weekly for ≥5 weeks preoperatively and continued twice weekly for 12 months postoperatively. All participants underwent vaginal hysterectomy (if the uterus was present) and standardized uterosacral or sacrospinous ligament suspension at the surgeon's discretion. The primary report's outcome was time to failure by 12 months postoperatively, defined by a composite outcome of objective prolapse of the anterior or posterior walls beyond the hymen or the vaginal apex descending below one-third the total vaginal length, subjective bulge symptoms, and/or retreatment. After 12 months, participants could choose to use-or not use-vaginal estrogen for atrophy symptom bother. The secondary outcomes included Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification points, subjective prolapse symptom severity using the Patient Global Impression of Severity and the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, and prolapse-specific subscales of the 20-Item Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-Short Form 7. Data were analyzed as intent to treat and "per protocol" (ie, ≥50% of expected cream use per medication diary). RESULTS: Of 206 postmenopausal patients, 199 were randomized, and 186 underwent surgery. Moreover, 164 postmenopausal patients (88.2%) provided 36-month data. The mean age was 65.0 years (standard deviation, 6.7). The characteristics were similar at baseline between the groups. Composite surgical failure rates were not significantly different between the estrogen group and the placebo group through 36 months, with model-estimated failure rates of 32.6% (95% confidence interval, 21.6%-42.0%) and 26.8% (95% confidence interval, 15.8%-36.3%), respectively (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-2.66; P=.11). The results were similar for the per-protocol analysis. Objective failures were more common than subjective failures, combined objective and subjective failures, or retreatment. Using the Patient Global Impression of Improvement, 75 of 80 estrogen participants (94%) and 72 of 76 placebo participants (95%) providing 36-month data reported that they were much or very much better 36 months after surgery (P>.99). These data included reports from 51 of 55 "surgical failures." Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification measurements, Patient Global Impression of Severity scores, and prolapse subscale scores of the 20-Item Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-Short Form 7 all significantly improved for both the estrogen and placebo groups from baseline to 36 months postoperatively without differences between the groups. Of the 160 participants providing data on vaginal estrogen usage at 36 months postoperatively, 40 of 82 participants (49%) originally assigned to the estrogen group were using prescribed vaginal estrogen, and 47 of 78 participants (60%) assigned to the placebo group were using vaginal estrogen (P=.15). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive perioperative vaginal estrogen applied ≥5 weeks preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively did not improve surgical success rates 36 months after uterosacral or sacrospinous ligament suspension prolapse repair. Patient perception of improvement remained very high at 36 months.

Long-Term Costs of Minimally Invasive Sacral Colpopexy Compared to Native Tissue Vaginal Repair With Concomitant Hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term costs of hysterectomy with minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy (MISCP) versus uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) for primary uterovaginal prolapse repair. DESIGN: A hospital-based decision analysis model was built using TreeAge Pro (TreeAge Software Inc, Williamstown, MA). Those with prolapse were modeled to undergo either vaginal hysterectomy with USLS or minimally invasive total hysterectomy with sacrocolpopexy (MISCP). We modeled the chance of complications of the index procedure, prolapse recurrence with the option for surgical retreatment, complications of the salvage procedure, and possible second prolapse recurrence. The primary outcome was cost of the surgical strategy. The proportion of patients living with prolapse after treatment was the secondary outcome. SETTING: Tertiary center for urogynecology. PATIENTS: Female patients undergoing surgical repair by the same team for primary uterovaginal prolapse. INTERVENTIONS: Comparison analysis of estimated long-term costs was performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Our primary outcome showed that a strategy of undergoing MISCP as the primary index procedure cost $19 935 and that undergoing USLS as the primary index procedure cost $15 457, a difference of $4478. Furthermore, 21.1% of women in the USLS group will be living with recurrent prolapse compared to 6.2% of MISCP patients. Switching from USLS to MISCP to minimize recurrence risk would cost $30 054 per case of prolapse prevented. Additionally, a surgeon would have to perform 6.7 cases by MISCP instead of USLS in order to prevent 1 patient from having recurrent prolapse. CONCLUSION: The higher initial costs of MISCP compared to USLS persist in the long term after factoring in recurrence and complication rates, though more patients who undergo USLS live with prolapse recurrence.

A review of vaginal hysterectomies in the gynaecology department of a tertiary care hospital.

This retrospective cohort study analysed the trends and complications of vaginal hysterectomy conducted at Services Hospital, Lahore, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020. Demographics, indications, surgery duration, complications (haemorrhage, urological or rectal problems, infection), and hospital stay were recorded. Out of 819 hysterectomies performed for benign gynaecological conditions, 112 (13.68%) were vaginal hysterectomies. Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy (NDVH) accounted for 33(29.46%) and uterine prolapse for 79(70.53%) of the cases. Mean age was 52.35±8.74 years, parity was 5.01±1.32, intraoperative haemorrhage was 796.87±450.1 ml, surgery duration was 48.61±12.28 minutes, and hospital stay was 2.58±0.41 days. Complications occurred in 19(16.97%) of the cases, while 93(83.03%) cases had no complications. Outcomes were comparable between NDVH and vaginal hysterectomy for prolapse (p=0.552). This indicates that vaginal hysterectomy is a safe procedure with minimal complications and quick recovery for uterine prolapse and non-descent uterus. However, a declining trend was observed over the study period.

Hysterectomy Techniques and Outcomes for Benign Large Uteri: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the optimal hysterectomy approach for large uteri in gynecologic surgery for benign indications from a perioperative morbidity standpoint. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and Embase databases were searched from inception through September 19, 2022. Meta-analyses were conducted as feasible. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: This review included studies that compared routes of hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for large uteri (12 weeks or more or 250 g or more) and excluded studies with any concurrent surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, gynecologic malignancy, or any obstetric indication for hysterectomy. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The review included 25 studies comprising nine randomized trials, two prospective, and 14 retrospective nonrandomized comparative studies. Studies were at high risk of bias. There was lower operative time for total vaginal hysterectomy compared with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) (mean difference 39 minutes, 95% CI, 18-60) and total vaginal hysterectomy compared with total laparoscopic hysterectomy (mean difference 50 minutes, 95% CI, 29-70). Total laparoscopic hysterectomy was associated with much greater risk of ureteral injury compared with total vaginal hysterectomy (odds ratio 7.54, 95% CI, 2.52-22.58). There were no significant differences in bowel injury rates between groups. There were no differences in length of stay among the laparoscopic approaches. For LAVH compared with total vaginal hysterectomy, randomized controlled trials favored total vaginal hysterectomy for length of stay. When rates of blood transfusion were compared between these abdominal hysterectomy and robotic-assisted total hysterectomy routes, abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a sixfold greater risk of transfusion than robotic-assisted total hysterectomy (6.31, 95% CI, 1.07-37.32). Similarly, single studies comparing robotic-assisted total hysterectomy with LAVH, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, or total vaginal hysterectomy all favored robotic-assisted total hysterectomy for reduced blood loss. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive routes are safe and effective and have few complications. Minimally invasive approach (vaginal, laparoscopic, or robotic) results in lower blood loss and shorter length of stay, whereas the abdominal route has a shorter operative time. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42021233300.

Retrospective analysis between total laparoscopic and vNOTES hysterectomy in obese patients: single-center study.

INTRODUCTION: Hysterectomy is one of the most common major gynecological surgeries, and it is performed for benign and malignant reasons. Currently, five types of hysterectomies are described: vaginal (VH), abdominal (AH), laparoscopic (LH), robotic, and vNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery). This paper compares these two types of surgery in obese patients by analyzing the surgeries performed by our team. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was conducted from January 2022 to December 2023 at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the General Hospital in Zadar. The study included female patients aged 18-75 years with a BMI > 30 kg/m2, regardless of parity, who were operated on for benign pathology. RESULTS: There were 24 patients included in total. One conversion was observed in the TLH group because of excessive bleeding. Median operative time (IQR) was significantly lower in the vNOTES group (p < 0.05) than in the TLH group 35 (10.9) vs 125 (74.0) min. CONCLUSION: The results concerning the duration of surgery, conversion rate, and postoperative bleeding and complications show that vNOTES hysterectomies seem to be feasible for obese patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations.

VaNoLaH trial: a study protocol-a multinational randomised controlled trial including two identical substudies comparing vaginal versus vNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal surgery) hysterectomy or laparoscopic versus vNOTES hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries performed in women. Minimally invasive methods are on the rise globally as they have been shown to decrease surgical morbidity compared with abdominal hysterectomy. Hysterectomy by vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) is the latest innovation. It combines the vaginal approach and endoscopy via the vagina. Large pragmatic randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking comparing outcomes after vNOTES, vaginal hysterectomy (VH) and laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH). METHODS: Multicentre pragmatic RCT aiming to recruit 1000 women aged 18-75 years undergoing hysterectomy for benign disease. The RCT includes two identical substudies (groups A and B). If VH is considered safe and feasible, the patient will be randomised within group A (VH vs vNOTES). If VH is not considered safe or feasible, patients will be randomised within group B (LH vs vNOTES). ANALYSIS: Primary outcome is the proportion of women leaving the hospital within 12 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes are hospitalisation time, conversion rates, duration of the surgical procedure, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications and readmission. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Ethical Board Committee at Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium, has approved the research protocol 230704 (principal investigator). Before including patients, all centres will require local or national ethical approval. The results of the study will be published in international peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05971875.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in prolapse repair: A prospective study on pre-emptive uterosacral/cervical block.

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been introduced in gynecology. Postoperative pain management after vaginal procedures remains a relevant issue. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-emptive uterosacral/cervical block (PUCB) for postoperative pain control in patients with uterovaginal prolapse undergoing vaginal hysterectomy and pelvic floor repair. We also evaluated the impact on the length of recovery. METHODS: This was a pilot study analyzing 40 women who underwent pelvic organ prolapse repair through uterosacral ligament suspension. Patients who chose to undergo PUCB were considered as cases, otherwise as controls. After general or spinal anesthesia induction, the treatment group received the PUCB with ropivacaine plus clonidine injections at 2, 4, 8, and 10 o'clock of the cervix. The control group did not receive additional treatment. Pain intensity was measured at rest and after forceful cough at 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. RESULTS: We found a significant reduction in pain values at 1 h (rest and forceful cough) and 24 h (forceful cough) in the PUCB group. The incidence of moderate/severe pain was inferior in the PUCB group at 1 h (rest) and 24 h (rest and forceful cough). There were no differences in terms of the use of rescue opioids (0% vs. 5%; P = 0.311) and length of hospital stay (2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6; P = 0.180). CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we demonstrated the impact of pre-emptive uterosacral/cervical block on pain control up to 24 h after surgery. Clonidine as a sensory blockade extender appears promising in enhancing the efficacy of local anesthetics.

Colporrhaphies versus Colpocleisis Following Vaginal Hysterectomy for the Treatment of Advanced Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Obliterative vaginal procedures may offer lower perioperative morbidity and equal success rates as reconstructive procedures for frail and elderly women who no longer desire future coital function. The combination of vaginal hysterectomy with either reconstructive or obliterative vaginal procedures has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To compare peri- and postoperative outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic floor reconstruction (VHR) vs. vaginal hysterectomy with colpocleisis (VHC). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study comparing medical and surgical data of patients undergoing either VHR or VHC between 2006 and 2015. Data were obtained from inpatient and outpatient medical records including peri- and postoperative course, as well as long-term (24 months) follow-up data. RESULTS: We identified 172 patients who underwent VHR and 44 who underwent VHC. Patients in the VHC group were significantly older (71.3 ± 4.5 vs. 68.6 ± 6.5 years, P = 0.01), and more likely to have medical co-morbidities (P = 0.001 and P = 0.029, respectively). Patients in the VHC group experienced shorter operative time (2.3 ± 0.58 vs. 2.7 ± 1.02 hours, P = 0.007), lower perioperative blood loss (P < 0.0001), shorter hospital stay (P < 0.0001), and lower rates of postoperative urinary retention. Long-term pelvic organ prolapse (POP) recurrence rates were significantly higher among the VHR group. Postoperative resolution of both stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder were common in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: VHC is associated with lower perioperative blood loss, shorter operative time, shorter hospital stay, shorter time with an indwelling catheter, and lower long-term objective POP recurrence rates.

Comparison of survival outcome of open, total laparoscopic, and laparoscopy-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy for stage IB2 cervical cancer patients: A multicenter retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to compare survival outcomes of 3 different radical hysterectomy (RH) types, namely total abdominal radical hysterectomy (TARH), total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (TLRH), and laparoscopy-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH), in patients with FIGO stage IB2 cervical cancer. We retrospectively identified a cohort of patients who underwent RH for cervical cancer between 2010 and 2017. Patients with stage IB2 cervical cancer were included and were classified into TARH, TLRH, and LARVH treatment groups. Survival outcomes were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to estimate the independent association of RH technique with outcome. 194 patients were included in this study: 79 patients in the TARH group, 55 in the TLRH group, and 60 in the LARVH group. No significant differences were found in clinicopathological characteristics between the 3 RH groups. On comparing survival outcomes with TARH, both TLRH and LARVH showed no significant difference in terms of 5-year overall survival (TARH vs TLRH, P = .121 and TARH vs LARVH, P = .436). Conversely, compared to the TARH group, 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly worse in the TLRH group (P = .034) but not in the LARVH group (P = .288). Multivariate analysis showed that TLRH surgical approach (hazard ratio, 3.232; 95% confidence interval, 1.238-8.438; P = .017) was an independent prognostic factor for PFS in patients with IB2 cervical cancer. Our study suggests that in patients with FIGO stage IB2 cervical cancer, among the minimally invasive RH approaches, TLRH and LARVH, only TLRH approach was associated with worse PFS when compared with the TARH approach.

Comparison of hysterectomy cases performed by transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: A paired sample cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, indications, and benefits of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (v-NOTES) hysterectomy for nonmalignant gynecological diseases. The clinical data, including the baseline information and surgical conditions of 81 patients who underwent v-NOTES hysterectomy for nonmalignant gynecological diseases in a tertiary university hospital from October 2018 to August 2022, were retrospectively analyzed and compared with the total laparoscopic hysterectomy group (200 cases) and the transumbilical laparoendoscopic Single Site Surgery group (150 cases). In comparison with the other 2 groups, the highest proportion of patients in the v-NOTES group had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Accordingly, mean preoperative uterine volume measured by sonography was significantly smaller in the v-notes group. In the v-NOTES group, the mean number of vaginal deliveries and age were significantly higher, while the mean number of previous abdominal surgeries was lower compared to the other 2 groups. The V-NOTES group had a shorter operation time, shorter postoperative urinary catheter insertion time, earlier intestinal recovery days, shorter hospital stay, and lower visual analogue scale scores after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant. When indicated appropriately, v-NOTES hysterectomy can be a feasible and advantageous surgical modality. In particular, in comparison to the laparoendoscopic Single Site Surgery and total laparoscopic hysterectomy groups, the v-NOTES group had advantages in postoperative recovery and had more aesthetic surgical results.

Enabling Technologies for Gynecologic Vaginal Surgery: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature to evaluate clinical and surgical outcomes for technologies that facilitate vaginal surgical procedures. DATA SOURCES: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1990 to May 2022. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Comparative and single-arm studies with data on contemporary tools or technologies facilitating intraoperative performance of vaginal gynecologic surgical procedures for benign indications were included. Citations were independently double screened, and eligible full-text articles were extracted by two reviewers. Data collected included study characteristics, technology, patient demographics, and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Risk of bias for comparative studies was assessed using established methods, and restricted maximum likelihood model meta-analyses were conducted as indicated. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The search yielded 8,658 abstracts, with 116 eligible studies that evaluated pedicle sealing devices (n=32), nonrobotic and robotic vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (n=64), suture capture devices (n=17), loop ligatures (n=2), and table-mounted telescopic cameras (n=1). Based on 19 comparative studies, pedicle sealing devices lowered vaginal hysterectomy operative time by 15.9 minutes (95% CI, -23.3 to -85), blood loss by 36.9 mL (95% CI, -56.9 to -17.0), hospital stay by 0.2 days (95% CI, -0.4 to -0.1), and visual analog scale pain scores by 1.4 points on a subjective 10-point scale (95% CI, -1.7 to -1.1). Three nonrandomized comparative studies and 53 single-arm studies supported the feasibility of nonrobotic vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for hysterectomy, adnexal surgery, pelvic reconstruction, and myomectomy. Data were limited for robotic vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, suture capture devices, loop ligatures, and table-mounted cameras due to few studies or study heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Pedicle sealing devices lower operative time and blood loss for vaginal hysterectomy, with modest reductions in hospital stay and pain scores. Although other technologies identified in the literature may have potential to facilitate vaginal surgical procedures and improve outcomes, additional comparative effectiveness research is needed. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42022327490.

Patient Impression of Improvement 1 year After Sacrospinous Hysteropexy Versus Vaginal Hysterectomy in Women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse Stage 2 or Higher.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Patient-reported outcomes are relevant outcomes in studies on pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery, as anatomical recurrence alone does not have a significant correlation with perceived improvement. In the present study, the patient's impression of improvement after 1 year is studied after vaginal hysterectomy (VH) versus sacrospinous hysteropexy (SSH) in large cohorts from daily clinical practice. We hypothesize that there is no difference between the groups. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis on prospectively collected data in a multicenter cohort of patients who underwent VH or SSH for symptomatic POP. All patients had a POP-Q stage ≥ 2 in at least one compartment at baseline and were treated with VH or SSH between 2002 and 2019. The primary outcome was the patient-reported score on the patient global impression of improvement index (PGI-I) 1 year after surgery. The secondary outcome was a composite outcome of surgical success, defined as the absence of recurrent POP beyond the hymen with bothersome bulge symptoms and/or repeat surgery. RESULTS: A total of 378 women (196 VH and 182 SSH) were included. The median score on the PGI-I did not differ between VH and SSH. At 1 year post-operatively, 77 women after VH (73%) and 77 women after SSH (75%) considered their condition (very) much improved (p = 0.86). There was no difference in composite outcome of surgical success (126 out of 137 women [92%] after VH, 118 out of 125 women [94%] after SSH; p = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that there was no difference in the type of surgery, VH or SSH, with regard to the patient's impression of improvement 1 year postoperatively in a large cohort from daily clinical practice.

Minimally Invasive Sacrohysteropexy Versus Vaginal Hysterectomy With Uterosacral Ligament Suspension for Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Prospective Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether minimally invasive Sacrohysteropexy (SH) is non-inferior to vaginal hysterectomy (VH) with uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) in women with symptomatic uterovaginal prolapse. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, non-inferiority study. SETTING: Tertiary university-based hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 146 patients with uterovaginal prolapse between July 2016 and August 2019. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either laparoscopic or robotic SH surgery or VH with USLS surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was prolapse recurrence at 1 year after surgery, defined as prolapse ≥ stage 2 evaluated using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system, bothersome vaginal bulge symptoms, or retreatment for prolapse. The secondary outcomes included operation time, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, operation-related complications, pain intensity, quality of life, and activities of daily living. Of 146 women who underwent randomization, 73 in the SH group and 73 in the VH with USLS group were analyzed. SH was non-inferior for recurrence compared with VH with USLS (16.4% vs 15.8%, 95% confidence interval: -13.0% to 14.2%). Operating duration and transvaginal length were significantly longer in the SH group, while there were no significant differences in the estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, or postoperative complication rates. Although perioperative pain intensity was greater from 1 week to 1 month in the SH group, the quality of life and activities of daily living did not differ between the groups throughout postoperative year 1. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic or robotic SH was non-inferior to VH with USLS for the recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse at the 1-year follow-up.

Total vNOTES hysterectomy versus conventional total laparoscopic hysterectomy in virgin transgender men.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Comparison of the applicability, safety, and surgical outcomes of total vaginal NOTES hysterectomy (TVNH) using natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, which is considered a natural orifice surgery for hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (HBSO) in virgin transgender men, with conventional total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2019 and 2021. The results of transgender male individuals who underwent HBSO operations using TVNH (n = 21) were compared with those who underwent operations using TLH (n = 62). RESULTS: TVNH was performed in 21 individuals, while TLH was performed in 62 individuals. Patients in the TVNH approach group had a longer operation duration than those in the TLH group (p = .001). Patients in the TVNH group experienced less pain at two hours (5 ± 1.56), six hours (4 ± 1.57), 12 h (2 ± 0.91), and 24 h (1 ± 0.62) postoperatively (p = .001). The postoperative hospitalization duration was shorter in the TVNH group (1.6 ± 1.01) than in the TLH group (2.9 ± 0.5) (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: For the HBSO operation of female-to-male transgender individuals, TVNH, which is completely endoscopically performed, can be preferred and safely conducted as an alternative surgical method to conventional laparoscopy.