Empowering gynaecologists with Artificial Intelligence: Tailoring surgical solutions for fibroids.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the integration ofArtificial intelligence (AI) into various fields of medicine including Gynaecology, has shown promising potential. Surgical treatment of fibroid is myomectomy if uterine preservation and fertility are the primary aims. AI usage begins with the involvement of LLM (Large Language Model) from the point when a patient visits a gynecologist, from identifying signs and symptoms to reaching a diagnosis, providing treatment plans, and patient counseling. OBJECTIVE: Use of AI (ChatGPT versus Google Bard) in the surgical management of fibroid. STUDY DESIGN: Identifyingthe patient's problems using LLMs like ChatGPT and Google Bard and giving a treatment optionin 8 clinical scenarios of fibroid. Data entry was done using M.S. Excel and was statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 26) for M.S. Windows 2010. All results were presented in tabular form. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests Chi-square tests or Fisher exact test.pvalues < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The sensitivity of both techniques was calculated. We have used Cohen's Kappa to know the degree of agreement. RESULTS: We found that on the first attempt, ChatGPT gave general answers in 62.5 % of cases and specific answers in 37.5 % of cases. ChatGPT showed improved sensitivity on successive prompts 37.5 % to 62.5 % on the third prompt. Google Bard could not identify the clinical question in 50 % of cases and gave incorrect answers in 12.5 % of cases (p = 0.04). Google Bard showed the same sensitivity of 25 % on all prompts. CONCLUSION: AI helps to reduce the time to diagnose and plan a treatment strategy for fibroid and acts as a powerful tool in the hands of a gynecologist. However, the usage of AI by patients for self-treatment is to be avoided and should be used only for education and counseling about fibroids.

Beyond the learning curve: improving outcomes in Robotic myomectomy compared to laparoscopic myomectomy.

Uterine myomas are benign tumours frequently seen in women of reproductive age. Myomectomy remains a viable option for treating this condition in women who wish to preserve their uterus. We undertook this study to compare the peri-operative surgical outcomes of Robotic myomectomy (RM) with laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) in Indian patients of uterine myomas after the initial learning curve of RM was achieved. A retrospective chart review was performed for the patients who underwent RM or LM for the treatment of uterine myomas. A total of 177 patients, 116 in the RM group and 61 in the LM group, were included in the study. The mean age in the RM and LM group was 34.31 ± 5.40 years and 33.54 ± 4.96 years, respectively (p = 0.355). The mean total operative time was marginally more in RM group (127.37 ± 110.67 vs. 120.66 ± 44.27, p = 0.650) but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients in the RM group had significantly less blood loss (115.43 ± 79.43 vs. 340.98 ± 453.9 ml, p = < 0.0001), hospital stay (1.28 ± 0.49 vs. 1.92 ± 1.05 days, p = < 0.0001), requirement of blood transfusion (93.97 vs. 81.97%, p = 0.031) and requirement of intravenous (IV) analgesia (41.38 vs. 34.43%, p = 0.019) as compared to the patients in the LM group. The Robotic myomectomy significantly reduces blood loss, the duration of hospital stay, and requirement of blood transfusions and IV analgesia as compared to the laparoscopic myomectomy.

Robotic Myomectomy: Five Modifications in Our Practice.

We discuss five technical modifications made over 8 years in the technique of robotic myomectomy at our institution. Universal preoperative MRI was the first modification. Precise hysterotomy incisions were planned by accurate myoma mapping. The second modification was to reduce the number of ports. We performed surgery with one 12-mm-port for the camera and one 8-mm-port on either side of the patient for scissors and fenestrated bipolar forceps. Third modification was to reduce the number of robotic instruments by using laparoscopic myoma screw instead of robotic tenaculum during enucleation and discard the use of a second needle driver and prograsp forceps. So instead of six instruments in classical technique, we now use only three instruments thus reducing the cost of instruments by 40-50%. The fourth modification was to use a single 30 or 45 cm barbed suture. A single long suture efficiently managed by wristed needle driver of robot was sufficient in most cases for hysterotomy closure. This reduces the time needed for multiple needle pass and cost due to reduced number of sutures used. The fifth modification was to not use the electro mechanical morcellator and commercially available bags. We do cold knife morcellation in indigenous plastic bags. Over a period of eight years, we have made robotic myomectomy efficient and reduced the cost of instruments by 40-50% as compared to the classical technique. This has enabled wider adoption of robotic myomectomy at our institution thus reducing open myomectomy in all types of myomas.