Stepwise training program: A novel practice schedule for laparoscopic suturing.

Purpose: We establish stepwise training program in which laparoscopic suturing is broken down to discrete steps. The purpose is to evaluate the learning outcomes of stepwise training program. Materials and methods: Volunteer participants were enrolled from medical students and surgical trainees. Students took two courses of 2-h stepwise training, and a post-course (1st & 2nd) test was taken after each course; trainees took one course of stepwise training with a pre-course (1st) and a post-course (2nd) test. Attending surgeons took the test as control. Learning outcomes were assessed with laparoscopic suturing competency assessment tool (LS-CAT) and suturing time. Results: There were 10 students, 8 trainees and 6 surgeon controls. Suturing time and LS-CAT scores significantly improved between the 1st and 2nd test (p < 0.01). In the both tests, suturing time and LS-CAT scores of students and trainees were similar. In the 1st test, surgeons had significantly better performance in suturing time and LS-CAT score than students and trainees; in the 2nd test, the LS-CAT scores of students and trainees were similar to the surgeon controls. Conclusions: Stepwise program effectively enhances laparoscopic suturing skill for medical students and surgical trainees. Catch-up effect was demonstrated in medical students with stepwise training.

Origami Box Folding Exercise: A laparoscopic box simulation training and assessment method in facilitating laparoscopic psychomotor skills with minimal preparation.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic box simulation training is widely recognized as an assessment tool to facilitate psychomotor skills especially for novice surgeons. However, current commercialized training modules including pegs, gauze, clips, pins etc. are generally costly and relatively inaccessible. We introduce a simple and pioneer surgical training drill, the Origami Box Folding Exercise (OBFE), based on the validated evaluating system of objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) constructed with the scoring system of procedure-specific checklist (PSC) and global rating scale (GRS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Face and content validation of the OBFE and OSATS are evaluated by five endoscopic experts from two medical centers in Taiwan. This is a prospective observational study analyzing the pre-test/post-test result of OBFE from 37 participants in two individual workshops as training and evaluating method for laparoscopic psychomotor skills. Both the pre and post tests are video recorded with a time limit of 5 min graded by two independent evaluators based on the OSATS scoring system. RESULTS: The reliability of PSC, GRS, and intergroup value between PSC and GRS were 0.923, 0.926 and 0.933, respectively. Inter-rater reliability of PSC, GRS, and both were 0.985, 0.932 and 0.977, respectively. Construct validity of PSC and GRS were statistically significant, with p-value 0.006 and 0.001, respectively. CONCLUSION: OBFE enhances laparoscopic psychomotor skills with requirement of a single piece of paper. The associated OSATS tool for a 5-min OBFE test was validated. OBFE training is an efficient training and assessment system to promote psychomotor skills in laparoscopic box simulation drill which requires simple and economical preparation.

Combing pre-workshop, web-based learning and hands-on workshop as a flipped classroom clinical skill training model during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a dramatic drop in in-person residency training due to the implementation of isolation and triage measurements. Here, we propose a new flipped classroom clinical skill training model utilizing a combination of pre-workshop, web-based learning and hands-on workshop that shortens in-person contact time to maintain residency training during the pandemic. Effectiveness of this training model was evaluated with a pre-test and post-test skills competency assessment, two-way feedback, and a five-point Likert scale structured survey questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The workshop was conducted in a flipped classroom fashion by the obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) department of a single tertiary teaching medical center covering topics from five OBGYN subspecialities. Every topic consisted of a pre-workshop, web-based, mini lecture (PWML) followed by a hands-on workshop (HW). All first to fourth year OBGYN residents were invited to attend the workshop. All the trainees were required to complete the PWML prior to the day of HW. The workshop consisted of rotational station for each topic and was conducted within one afternoon. A 0-100-point scale pre-test and post-test skills competency evaluation were performed for each station and was assessed by the attending doctor or fellow doctor of each subspeciality. Two-way feedback was done after the post-test evaluation. A five-point Likert scale structured survey instrument consisting of participant's perceptions of the workshop design, relevance to clinical practice, and quality of instructors and materials was created during the curriculum development process and sent to each participant one month after the workshop. RESULTS: A total of 19 residents including five first-year, six second-year, three third-year, and five fourth-year residents completed the entire pre-workshop lecture, workshop, pre-test, and post-test. For all residents, the average post-test score of 5 stations was 95 and was significantly higher than the pre-test score of 60 (p < 0.001). For both junior residents and senior residents, the average post-test scores of 5 stations were also significantly higher than pre-test scores (p < 0.001). Survey generated one month after the workshop showed a high overall satisfaction with the workshop instructors on their professional knowledge, communication skills, and interactions between the instructors and trainees. The average satisfaction scores for manipulation of vaginal breech delivery (VBD), semen analysis (SA), cervical conization (CC), obstetrics anal sphincter injury (OASIS), and laparoscopic suture techniques (LST) were 4.84, 4.96, 4.92, 4.88, and 4.92, respectively The average score for practical application of the training materials, class design and teaching method, overall satisfaction of the session, and time scheduling was 4.84, 4.96, 4.96, and 4.48, respectively. The entire HW was completed within 180 min and was carried out within half a day. CONCLUSION: With the implementation of isolation and triage measures in the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a dramatic drop in in-person exposure to all aspects of the residency training, in particular, non-emergent surgeries. Utilization of PWML saved 1/3 of in-person time and the entire workshop was completed within 180 min that could be carried out within half a day. The decrease of person-to-person contact time during the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary while still providing curriculum-based residency training in spite of decreased hands-on experience.

Restoring tubal patency with laparoscopic tubocornual anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the technical feasibility of laparoscopic tubocornual anastomosis (TCA) at restoring tubal patency in patients with proximal tubal occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of fourteen females with identified proximal tubal occlusions seeking to restore their tubal patency in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital between 2011 and 2018. Tubal patency within one year after the surgery was evaluated. RESULTS: The patients had a mean age of 34.0 ± 3.6 years old, median parity of 1 child, and mean BMI of 23.0 ± 5.2 kg/m2. Of the fourteen patients, two (14.3%) received bilateral TCA, eight (57.1%) received only unilateral TCA, and four (28.6%) received TCA on one side and tubal anastomosis on the other. The operative time was 126.4 ± 37.9min for unilateral procedure and 201.0 ± 1.4 min for bilateral anastomoses. Postoperative hysterosalpingogram (HSG) demonstrated a patency rate of 64.2% at the TCA sites. Two ectopic pregnancies were reported thereafter. CONCLUSION: This preliminary series demonstrates that laparoscopic TCA is technically feasible and provides promising results for patients with proximal tubal occlusions hoping to restore their tubal function in order to conceive naturally. A larger prospective series is mandatory to establish its significance and application in clinical practices. Notably, infertile patients without surgically correctable factors are not suitable for this procedure.

Laparoscopic Triple-tourniquet Constriction: A Convenient Way for Minimizing Blood Loss during Myomectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Although a pericervical tourniquet helped reduce blood loss in myomectomy [1], a technique of triple tourniquets was more influential in occluding the uterine vessel networks [2,3]. This video demonstrates the procedures of laparoscopic triple-tourniquet constriction with the number 1 suture around the uterine isthmic portion and bilateral infundibulopelvic ligaments [4] in a case of robotic myomectomy. DESIGN: A step-by-step, narrated video demonstration. SETTING: A university hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Robotic myomectomy was scheduled for a patient with menorrhagia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed 8 uterine myomas; the maximal one was 9.1 × 8.4 × 8.6 cm in dimension. Our robotic settings included 3 ports: fenestrated bipolar in the left lower quadrant, spatula or mega needle holder in the right lower quadrant, and an umbilical glove port accessible for lens and assisted instruments. A number 1 Monocryl (Ethicon, Bridgewater, NJ) was introduced from the suprapubic area extracorporeally; then, the needle penetrated through bilateral avascular zones of broad ligaments at the isthmic level and with a sliding tie made anteriorly to the uterus. The isthmic tourniquet-we also named it as the hangman's tourniquet-was tightened by manually tensioning the suture extracorporeally and pushing down the knot intracorporeally. Bilateral infundibulopelvic tourniquets were placed by using sliding ties of 1-0 Monocryl as well. With the total occlusion of uterine vessel networks, the uterus should retain only minimal blood flow. During the enucleation of uterine myomas, the tourniquet may loosen because of newly developed, unoccupied space with increasing bleeding; therefore, the tourniquet should be tightened up regularly throughout the surgery. After the repair of all the uterine wounds, we removed the 3 tourniquets. CONCLUSION: The convenient and adjustable triple-tourniquet constriction is a safe and feasible laparoscopic technique to block the vessel networks temporally in uterine-preserving surgery.

An incidental diagnosis of endometrial cancer in a young and underweight female with isolated symptom of amenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: We demonstrate a young woman with the incidental diagnosis of endometrial cancer, although all common risk factors of endometrial cancer were absent and endometrial lining in ultrasound was smooth either. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old female was referral from local clinic for frequent lower abdominal pain, enlarged right adnexal cystic tumor and suspected adnexal torsion. A special symptom of annual menses (menses around every year) was also complained. The onset of the amenorrhea was 6 years ago just after a laparoscopic salpingostomy for right pyosalpinx. Her body mass index (BMI) was 16.8 kg/m2. Laboratory examination documented the level of prolactin, thyroid function, gonadotropins, estradiol and free testosterone were all within normal range. Pelvic ultrasound revealed the smooth endometrial lining with 1.2 cm in thickness. Laparoscopic surgery was arranged for the adnexal torsion. Besides, a diagnostic hysteroscopic was simultaneously planned for a further endometrial survey and endometrial sampling. Apart from a large functional cyst noted in right adnexa, the hysteroscopy disclosed diffuse polypoid endometrial lesions with neovascularity. The pathology showed atypical hyperplasia with focal endometrioid carcinoma. Postoperative magnetic resonance image revealed no residual tumor and FIGO IA status. Fertility preservation treatment with Mirena insertion was performed. CONCLUSION: Generally, the clues to detect endometrial neoplasm in a young female include family or genetic predisposition, menstrual patterns of abnormal spotting, obesity, risk of polycystic ovary syndrome and/or bizarre images of endometrial lining. However, the above conditions are all absent in the presenting case except the symptom of amenorrhea, in which the chronic anovulatory status may overstimulate the endometrium from the unopposed estrogen and potentially lead to the malignant transformation. Endometrial tissue assessment would be crucial for any young woman suspected to have prolonged exposure (≥6-12 months) of unopposed estrogenic stimulation. Endometrial tissue sampling in premenopausal group with amenorrhea for more than 6-12 months could not be ignored even for the young patient without common risk factors of endometrial cancer.

Interval Laparoscopic Transabdominal Cervical Cerclage (ILTACC) Using Needleless Mersilene Tape for Cervical Incompetence.

Interval Laparoscopic Transabdominal Cervical Cerclage (ILTACC) has become a procedure of choice for many laparoscopic surgeons in nonpregnant patients diagnosed with cervical incompetence (CI) due to the inherent advantages it offers. The study was conducted to describe the feasibility of performing a three-step approach of ILTACC using a needleless mersilene tape in patients diagnosed with CI. A case series of three patients diagnosed with CI who underwent ILTACC using needleless mersilene tape referred at a tertiary hospital for cerclage. Women diagnosed with CI who underwent ILTACC using a needleless mersilene tape were included in the study, and surgical outcomes were measured. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic profile and surgical outcomes of the patients. Three patients with a mean age of 31 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.96) years with a gravidity of 2.67 (SD, 0.82) and parity of 0.33 (SD, 0.47) were selected. The cervical length was 1.98 (SD, 0.76) cm. The average operative time was 149 (SD, 43.87) minutes. All patients had minimal blood loss (≤ 60 ml) without intraoperative blood transfusion. The hospital stay was 1.33 (SD, 0.47) days with a median of 1 and a range of 1-2 days. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted. No cases were converted to laparotomy. The result of this article shows the safety and feasibility of ILTACC using needleless mersilene tape. However, it should be evaluated in more cases.

Performing laparoscopic adenomyomectomy with the four-petal method.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate an innovative idea for a four-petal method for performing laparoscopic adenomyomectomy on a patient with focal-type adenomyosis. DESIGN: A step-by-step explanation of the technique with narrated video footage. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): A 38-year-old female with a 7 × 4 cm adenomyoma at the anterior uterine wall. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic adenomyomectomy began with a cruciate incision to turn the adenomyoma into the shape of a blooming four-petal flower to fully expose the tumor and maximize the removal of adenomyotic tissue. During excision of the lesion, around a 1 cm thickness of the myometrium was preserved at the subendometrial region and around a 0.5 cm thickness of the serosa flap was also left in each "petal." Suture repair in the method introduced is different from closing the wound by approximation of myometrium to myometrium as in traditional myomectomy; instead, herein we repaired the adenomyomectomy wound by anchoring the serosal flap to the subendometrial tissue, with care taken to avoid dead space. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Subjective clinical symptoms as well as serial ultrasonographic measurement of the uterine size, shape, and wall thickness. RESULT(S): The specimen removed was 92 g in weight. The symptoms have dramatically decreased since the procedure and dysmenorrhea improved from visual analog scale 8 to 1 postoperatively. Besides achieving satisfactory symptomatic relief, the ultrasonographic measurement of the myometrium was of adequate thickness (2.3 cm) after the operation and did not increase in a serial follow-up of 33 months. CONCLUSION(S): The four-petal method of adenomyomectomy with cruciate incision offers full exposure to the localized adenomyosis. It greatly facilitates a balance between the maximized resection of the lesions and tailored reserves of myometrium. Subsequent repair by anchoring the serosal flap to the subendometrial tissue ensures adequate thickness of the uterine wall after the operation.

An Elongated Endometrial Polyp Prolapsing Through the Introitus in a Virgin.

The objective of the study is to report on the unusual case of an elongated endometrial polyp prolapsing through the introitus. A nulliparous 38-year-old woman presented to the gynecology department with an abnormal mass prolapsing at the vulva area without any abnormal uterine bleeding. Because she had no history of having engaged in sexual intercourse, a pelvic examination was not performed. Ultrasonography revealed an intrauterine hyperechoic lesion 1.5 cm × 0.8 cm in diameter suspected to be endometrial polyp. A hysteroscopy revealed an elongated endometrial polyp 12 cm × 0.5 cm in length, which originated from the midanterior corpus and extended out of the cervix and introitus. Then, the base of the polyp was cut and removed. The pathological report was consistent with an endometrial polyp. This was an unusual case of an elongated endometrial polyp prolapsing through the introitus in a nulliparous woman. Hysteroscopy is the best tool for diagnosis and management in this case.

Electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device (LigaSure™) versus conventional diathermy in laparoscopic myomectomy: A propensity-matched analysis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of an electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing device (LigaSure™) and traditional electrical cauterization in laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). A total of 756 patients with symptomatic uterine myomas who underwent LM were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 225 cases of LM using LigaSure™ (LML group) were compared with a control group treated with traditional electrical cauterization (LME group) under propensity-matched analysis. Outcome measures for both groups were compared, such as operative time, blood loss (BL), complications, need for blood transfusion, hospital expenses, and hospital stay. Six subgroups were divided according to main myoma size and energy source. No cases required switching to abdominal myomectomy. The number of myomas removed, BL, need for blood transfusion, and complications were not significantly different, whereas hospital stay was longer in the LME group than in the LML group and total hospital expenses were higher in the LML group (p < 0.001). The overall operation duration was significantly longer in the LML group but was not significantly different for main myoma >10 cm (LML vs LME, 121.58 ± 41.77 vs 121.69 ± 44.95, p = 0.99); this likely reflects the operative efficiency on using LigaSure™ to manage large tumors. Significant linear correlations between myoma weight and operative time and BL were seen in both groups. Conventional diathermy is more effective for small-to-medium myomas. Use of the LigaSure™ was efficient for myomas >10 cm.

Comparison of three different hemostatic devices in laparoscopic myomectomy.

BACKGROUND: To compare conventional electrosurgery, LigaSure (Valleylab, Boulder, CO), and Harmonic scalpel (Ethicon Endosurgery, Cincinnati, OH) in terms of perioperative and postoperative outcomes during laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 817 women with symptomatic fibroids who underwent LM between January 1997 and September 2015. Three different instruments were used separately during surgery. The number and weight of removed fibroids, blood loss, operative time, postoperative decrease in the hemoglobin level, and length of hospital stay were measured for statistical analysis. RESULTS: No significant increase in complications was found in the three groups. Patients in the LigaSure and Harmonic scalpel groups had more numbers of removed fibroids, heavier fibroids removed, and higher rate of pretreatment with GnRH agonist (p < 0.001). These patients also had higher amount of intraoperative bleeding (p = 0.003) and longer operative time (p < 0.001) than those in the conventional electrosurgery group. However, no worse postoperative clinical outcome but shorter length of hospital stay was found in the LigaSure and Harmonic scalpel groups (2.1 ± 0.6, 2.0 ± 0.4 vs 2.5 ± 0.8 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of all three devices is feasible in LM. LigaSure and Harmonic scalpel can reduce the length of hospital stay without worse surgical outcomes.

Transvaginal endoscopic surgery-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic adnexectomy (TVEA vs. CLA): A propensity-matched study and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) may be useful in gynecologic endoscopic surgery. This study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and perioperative outcomes of combined NOTES and vaginal approach, transvaginal endoscopic surgery-assisted adnexectomy (TVEA), for the surgical treatment of presumed benign ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records were reviewed for 33 consecutive TVEA procedures performed between May 2011 and March 2014. Patient age, body mass index, parity, mass size, and mass bilaterality were used to select comparable patients who had undergone conventional laparoscopic adnexectomy (CLA). RESULTS: A total of 236 patients were included in this study (203 CLAs and 33 TVEAs). No cases switched to abdominal laparotomy. Operating time and length of postoperative stay were significantly longer in the CLA group than in the TVEA group, while total hospital charges were higher in the TVEA group (p < 0.001). There was no difference in febrile morbidity between the two groups; while the estimated blood loss was higher in the TVEA group, the EBL was <30 mL in both groups. CONCLUSION: TVEA can be safely performed for benign and large ovarian tumors. In addition, TVEA offers superior operative efficiency compared to CLA.

The use of fibrin sealant (Tisseel) in laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometrioma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of Tisseel, a 2-component fibrin sealant agent for the control of minor bleeding and repair of the ovarian defect at the end of laparoscopic cystectomy (LC) of endometriomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2015, an observational study of all patients who underwent LC of endometrioma using Tisseel (group A) was performed. The demographic and operative data, including age, body mass index, operative indications, operative time, estimated blood loss, complications, and postoperative hospital stay duration were recorded. A contemporary cohort of patients, who underwent LC of endometrioma without Tisseel (group B) was also retrospectively compared. RESULTS: A total of 274 patients were recruited in this study (53 LCs with Tisseel and 221 LCs without Tisseel, respectively). Complete hemostasis was achieved in all patients. The mean size of main mass was significantly larger in the group A than in the group B (7.8 ± 2.4 cm vs. 7.0 ± 2.3 cm, p = 0.033) but the mean operating time, operative blood loss, febrile morbidity, and length of hospitalization were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This preliminary series demonstrated the use of Tisseel in LC of endometriomas without any bipolar coagulation and/or suturing of ovarian tissue is clinically safe and feasible.

Unexpected epithelial ovarian cancers arising from presumed endometrioma: A 10-year retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and prognosis of unexpected epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) occurring in presumed benign endometrioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent primary surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between November 2003 and October 2013 were searched with the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine code followed by chart review. RESULTS: The incidence of unexpected EOCs in presumed ovarian endometrioma was 0.14%, as 11 patients were revealed after reviewing 497 patients of pathology-proven EOCs in the current series. All patients were aged ≥ 40 years; seven (63.6%) had inward mass within ovarian cyst in preoperative images, six had cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) > 200 U/mL, and two with CA-125 > 1500 U/mL. Ten patients underwent laparoscopy initially, including five with ovarian preservation at the beginning. Ten patients subsequently completed concurrent or secondary staging surgery, including four totally with laparoscopy. The histologic subtypes had clear-cell (8/11), endometrioid (1/11), mixed clear-cell and endometrioid (1/11), and low-grade serous adenocarcinoma (1/11). Seven patients had endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma (EAOC), while the other four were non-EAOC with no endometriosis component. The only mortality was a patient of non-EAOC in Stage IIIc, whereas the other 10 in Stage I were alive. The overall survival rate was 90.9% (10/11) with follow-up ranging from 23 months to 130 months. CONCLUSION: Unexpected EOCs occurring in presumed ovarian endometrioma was rare and, if present, the prognosis was good in Stage I disease with laparoscopic management. Combining parameters of patient's age, CA-125 level, and inward solid mass at imaging could help to raise the precautions.

A case-controlled study comparing harmonic versus electrosurgery in laparoscopic myomectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and effectiveness of the harmonic scalpel and conventional electrosurgery in laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 591 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who underwent LM. Thirty-three cases of LMs with harmonic scalpel (LMH) were compared with a matched control group that underwent conventional electrosurgery (LME). Outcome measures for both groups were studied comparatively in terms of the amount of blood loss, requirement of blood transfusion, length of operative time, cost, and hospital stay. RESULTS: There was no incidence of switching to abdominal laparotomy. Length of postoperative stay was significantly lower in the LMH group than in the LME group (2.0±0.4 days vs. 2.5±0.7 days, p<0.001), but the hospital charges were significantly higher in the LMH group than in the LME group (39,207.7±9315.0 new Taiwan dollar vs. 24,078.4±11,051.3 new Taiwan dollar, p<0.001). Four minor complications were noted in the LME group; two developed lower-grade febrile morbidity, one had urinary tract infection, and one had subcutaneous ecchymosis at the left ancillary port site. Length of operation, blood loss, hemoglobin decrease, and requirement of blood transfusion were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Harmonic scalpel is as safe and effective as conventional electrosurgery, and may offer an alternative option for patients undergoing LM. Harmonic scalpel has advantage over conventional electrosurgery in less postoperative hospital stay but disadvantage in higher cost.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery-assisted versus laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy (NAOC vs. LOC): a case-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has shown its prospection as a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. This study aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of combined NOTES and vaginal approach, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery-assisted ovarian cystectomy (NAOC), in the conservative management of benign ovarian tumors. METHODS: Records were reviewed for the 34 consecutive NAOC procedures between May 2011 and March 2014. Age, body mass index, parity, size of the mass, and bilaterality of the mass were used to select comparable patient who had undergone laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy (LOC). RESULTS: A total of 277 patients were recruited in this study (243 LOCs and 34 NAOCs, respectively). There was no incidence of switching to abdominal laparotomy. Length of operation and length of postoperative stay were significantly greater in the LOC group than in the NAOC group, but total hospital charges were similar in both groups. There was no difference in febrile morbidity between the two groups but more estimated blood loss (EBL) in NAOC group, although EBL was <50 mL in the two groups. Linear correlations of mass size with operating time and EBL existed in LOC group, but not in NAOC group. CONCLUSION: NAOC can be safely performed for benign and large ovarian tumors. Besides, NAOC offers a superior operative efficiency compared with LOC.