Robotic Surgery: Advancements and Inflection Points in the Field of Gynecology.

Robotics has become an essential part of the surgical armamentarium for a growing number of surgeons around the world. New companies seek to compete with established robotic systems that have dominated the market to date. Evolving robotic surgery platforms have introduced technologic and design advancements to optimize ergonomics, improve visualization, provide haptic feedback, and make systems smaller and cheaper. With the introduction of any new technology in the operating room, it is imperative that safeguards be in place to ensure its appropriate use. Current processes for granting of hospital robotic surgery privileges are inadequate and must be strengthened and standardized.

A Systematic Review of Validity Evidence for the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Examination in Gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: The Fundamentals in Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) examination is designed to test laparoscopic surgery skills. Our aim for this systematic review was to examine validity evidence supporting or refuting the FLS examination specifically as a high-stakes summative assessment tool in gynecology. DATA SOURCES: The data sources were PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: The study eligibility criterion was the subject of the FLS examination as an assessment tool in gynecology. We developed a data extraction tool and assigned articles for screening and extraction to all authors, who then abstracted data independently. Conflicts that arose during the extraction process were resolved by consensus. We organized validity evidence for the cognitive and manual skills portions on the basis of the categories of current validation standards. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: From 1971 citations identified, 9 studies were included, involving 319 participants. For the cognitive portion of the test, the results were mixed in 5 studies in relationships with the other variables category. For the manual portion of the test, most of the studies focused on the relationships with other variables evidence with mixed findings. The concerning findings in the manual skills portion included the lack of transferability of skills to the operating room, limited mixed evidence for improvement in operating room performance, and worse performance by obstetrics and gynecology surgeons compared with other specialties. We did not find supportive content-based, response process, or consequential evidence in either the cognitive or manual skills portion of the test. CONCLUSION: Validity evidence for the FLS examination was either mixed, as it pertained to relationships with other variables, or lacking in other important evidence categories. Further evidence is required to justify the use of the FLS examination scores as a high-stakes summative assessment.

Where Have All the Emergencies Gone? The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Obstetric and Gynecologic Procedures and Consults at a New York City Hospital.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on surgical volume and emergency department (ED) consults across obstetrics-gynecology (OB-GYN) services at a New York City hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic medical center in New York City. PATIENTS: Women undergoing OB-GYN ED consults or surgeries between February 1, 2020 and April 15, 2020. INTERVENTIONS: March 16 institutional moratorium on elective surgeries. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The volume and types of surgeries and ED consults were compared before and after the COVID-19 moratorium. During the pandemic, the average weekly volume of ED consults and gynecology (GYN) surgeries decreased, whereas obstetric (OB) surgeries remained stable. The proportions of OB-GYN ED consults, GYN surgeries, and OB surgeries relative to all ED consults, all surgeries, and all labor and delivery patients were 1.87%, 13.8%, 54.6% in the pre-COVID-19 time frame (February 1-March 15) vs 1.53%, 21.3%, 79.7% in the COVID-19 time frame (March 16-April 15), representing no significant difference in proportions of OB-GYN ED consults (p = .464) and GYN surgeries (p = .310) before and during COVID-19, with a proportionate increase in OB surgeries (p <.002). The distribution of GYN surgical case types changed significantly during the pandemic with higher proportions of emergent surgeries for ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, and concern for cancer (p <.001). Alternatively, the OB surgery distribution of case types remained relatively constant. CONCLUSION: This study highlights how the pandemic has affected the ways that patients in OB-GYN access and receive care. Institutional policies suspending elective surgeries during the pandemic decreased GYN surgical volume and affected the types of cases performed. This decrease was not appreciated for OB surgical volume, reflecting the nonelective and time-sensitive nature of obstetric care. A decrease in ED consults was noted during the pandemic begging the question "Where have all the emergencies gone?" Although the moratorium on elective procedures was necessary, "elective" GYN surgeries remain medically indicated to address symptoms such as pain and bleeding and to prevent serious medical sequelae such as severe anemia requiring transfusion. As we continue to battle COVID-19, we must not lose sight of those patients whose care has been deferred.

Comparing Surgical Experience and Skill Using a High-Fidelity, Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in standardized scores and surgical confidence in the completion of a standardized total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TLH-BSO) among obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) with different levels of training, and to assess a TLH-BSO model for validity. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 68 participants within four categories of ob-gyns: 1) graduating or recently graduated residents (n=18), 2) minimally invasive gynecologic surgery graduating or recently graduated fellows (n=16), 3) specialists in general obstetrics and gynecology (n=15), and 4) fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists (n=19) who completed a TLH-BSO simulation. Participants completed presimulation questionnaires assessing laparoscopic confidence. Participants performed a video-recorded TLH-BSO and contained specimen removal on a standardized 250-g biological model in a simulated operating room and completed a postsimulation questionnaire. RESULTS: Randomized videos were scored by blinded experts using the validated OSATS (Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills). The surgery was divided into five standardized segments: 1) adnexa, 2) dissection and pedicles, 3) colpotomy, 4) cuff closure, and 5) tissue extraction. Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists averaging 8.9 years in practice scored highest in all categories (overall median score 91%, P<.001), followed by fellows (64%, P<.001), specialists in obstetrics and gynecology averaging 19.7 years in practice (63%, P<.001), and residents (56%, P<.001). Residents, fellows and specialists in obstetrics and gynecology were comparable overall. Fellows scored higher on cuff closure (63% vs 50%, P<.03) and tissue extraction (77% vs 60%, P<.009) compared with specialists in obstetrics and gynecology. Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists were fastest overall and on each individual component. Residents were slowest in almost all categories. CONCLUSION: When performing a TLH-BSO of a standardized 250-g uterus on a simulation model, fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists achieved higher OSATS in all areas and completed all components faster. Similar performances were noted between residents, fellows, and specialists in obstetrics and gynecology in practice an average of 19.7 years. FUNDING SOURCE: Support from Applied Medical, Medtronic, CooperSurgical, and Karl Storz in the form of in-kind equipment was obtained through unrestricted educational grants.

Safety in Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Conventional and robot-assisted laparoscopic gynecologic surgery offers many advantages over a traditional laparotomy. However, these minimally invasive approaches can present their own particular risks. To ensure patient safety, procedures must be properly planned and performed by a skilled surgeon. Pre-operative patient optimization can help ensure safety and efficiency. Additional risks before starting the actual procedure arise from unique requirements for patient positioning and the need for peritoneal access. The authors discuss these risks and the importance of a thorough working knowledge of anatomy and surgical equipment (specifically conventional laparoscopic devices) to mitigate them.

Optimizing surgical management of patients who decline blood transfusion.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the complexity of caring for gynecologic patients who refuse blood transfusion and discusses the importance of early, targeted perioperative and intraoperative medical optimization. We review alternative interventions and the importance of medical management to minimize blood loss and maximize hematopoiesis, particularly in gynecologic patients who may have significant uterine bleeding. The review also focuses on intraoperative interventions and surgical techniques to prevent and control surgical blood loss. RECENT FINDINGS: With improvements in surgical technique, greater availability of minimally invasive surgery, and increased use of preop UAE and cell salvage, definitive surgical management can be safely performed. New technologies have been developed that allow for safer surgeries or alternatives to traditional surgical procedures. Many medical therapies have been shown to decrease blood loss and improve surgical outcomes. Nonsurgical interventions have also been developed for use as adjuncts or alternatives to surgery. SUMMARY: The care of a patient who declines blood transfusion may be complex, but gynecologic surgeons can safely and successfully offer a wide variety of therapies depending on the patient's goals and needs. Medical management should be implemented early. A multidisciplinary team should be mobilized to provide comprehensive and patient-centered care.

Preterm Parturient with Polyhydramnios and Pancreatitis: Primary Presentation of Hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of severe hypercalcemia secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism in a late-preterm pregnant patient and review medical and surgical treatments as well as obstetric and neonatal outcomes. BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of parathyroid disease during pregnancy can be difficult due to nonspecific presentation. Management decisions are complex and require multidisciplinary collaboration. CASE: A 29-year-old G2P1001 woman at 35 weeks and 3 days' gestation presented with preterm contractions, polyhydramnios, pancreatitis, and severe hypercalcemia. Work-up revealed primary hyperparathyroidism with multiple thyroid nodules. Patient history, presentation, and biopsy were suspicious for parathyroid carcinoma. Despite severe hypercalcemia, both patient and fetus remained stable and medical management was pursued in an attempt to optimize mother and fetus prior to delivery. Due to recalcitrant hypercalcemia, surgical resection was ultimately required. She was subsequently delivered in the setting of preterm labor. Final pathology revealed parathyroid adenoma with atypia and occult papillary thyroid carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of hypercalcemia can mimic those of a normal third trimester pregnancy and can have serious maternal and fetal effects if left untreated. A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to these patients is necessary.

The sticky business of adhesion prevention in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The negative impact of postoperative adhesions has long been recognized, but available options for prevention remain limited. Minimally invasive surgery is associated with decreased adhesion formation due to meticulous dissection with gentile tissue handling, improved hemostasis, and limiting exposure to reactive foreign material; however, there is conflicting evidence on the clinical significance of adhesion-related disease when compared to open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery does not guarantee the prevention of adhesions because longer operative times and high insufflation pressure can promote adhesion formation. Adhesion barriers have been available since the 1980s, but uptake among surgeons remains low and there is no clear evidence that they reduce clinically significant outcomes such as chronic pain or infertility. In this article, we review the ongoing magnitude of adhesion-related complications in gynecologic surgery, currently available interventions and new research toward more effective adhesion prevention. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature provides updated epidemiologic data and estimates of healthcare costs associated with adhesion-related complications. There have been important advances in our understanding of normal peritoneal healing and the pathophysiology of adhesions. Adhesion barriers continue to be tested for safety and effectiveness and new agents have shown promise in clinical studies. Finally, there are many experimental studies of new materials and pharmacologic and biologic prevention agents. SUMMARY: There is great interest in new adhesion prevention technologies, but new agents are unlikely to be available for clinical use for many years. High-quality effectiveness and outcomes-related research is still needed.

Easing the adoption and use of electronic health records in small practices.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 recognizes that to improve health through the use of electronic health records, smaller medical practices and those serving disadvantaged populations will need support. Some of this support is likely to come from Regional Health Information Technology Extension Centers, which offer technical assistance, guidance, and information on best practices. Such support programs already exist, and ARRA funding will influence how they spread. The National Committee for Quality Assurance surveyed these programs and convened a discussion among program leaders and users. We describe how programs address barriers to adopting electronic health records by assessing readiness, setting expectations, and helping with work-flow redesign. We also highlight challenges.

Reducing disparities and improving quality: understanding the needs of small primary care practices.

OBJECTIVES: Small practices provide a significant proportion of care in the United States and should be an essential focus of efforts to reduce racial/ethnic disparities and improve the quality of care for minority patients. This project sought to identify the resources and tools small practices need to conduct quality improvement activities to reduce disparities. DESIGN: We surveyed small practices about their capabilities for conducting quality improvement activities for minority and limited English proficiency patients. A subset of practices also completed a brief chart review. SETTINGS: Grantees of the National Committee for Quality Assurance Program were independent practices required to have five or fewer physicians with little or no experience with quality improvement (mean number of physicians = 1.4). At least one-quarter of the patients served by the practice were required to be minorities. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two practices from California and New Jersey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surveys assessed clinician preparedness, use of systematic processes, and availability of information technology to improve care for minority patients. The chart review exercise elicited information on challenges and enabling factors in recent encounters with racial/ethnic minority patients. RESULTS: Small practices face considerable challenges in caring for minority patients. They have limited staff and fewer resources than larger group practices, increasing the difficulty of making improvements on their own. The main challenges identified were patient adherence to treatment recommendations, staffing, language barriers and lack of information systems. CONCLUSIONS: Small practices will require substantial support from external organizations in order to contribute to national reductions in racial/ethnic disparities in health care.