Cervicovaginal metabolome and tumor characteristics for endometrial cancer detection and risk stratification.

PURPOSE: Endometrial cancer is highly prevalent and lacking non-invasive diagnostic techniques. Diagnosis depends on histological investigation of biopsy samples. Serum biomarkers for endometrial cancer have lacked sensitivity and specificity. The objective of this study was to investigate the cervicovaginal environment to improve understanding of metabolic reprogramming related to endometrial cancer and identify potential biomarker candidates for non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic tests. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Cervicovaginal lavages were collected from 192 participants with endometrial cancer (n=66) and non-malignant conditions (n=108), and global untargeted metabolomics was performed. Using the metabolite data (n=920), we completed a multivariate biomarker discovery analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed grade 1/2 endometrioid carcinoma (n=53) and other endometrial cancer subtypes (n=13) to identify shared and unique metabolic signatures between the subtypes. When compared to non-malignant conditions, downregulation of proline (p<0.0001), tryptophan (p<0.0001), and glutamate (p<0.0001) was found among both endometrial cancer groups, relating to key hallmarks of cancer including immune suppression and redox balance. Upregulation (q<0.05) of sphingolipids, fatty acids, and glycerophospholipids was observed in endometrial cancer in a type-specific manner. Furthermore, cervicovaginal metabolites related to tumor characteristics, including tumor size and myometrial invasion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide insights into understanding the endometrial cancer metabolic landscape and improvement into diagnosis. The metabolic dysregulation described in this paper linked specific metabolites and pathophysiological mechanisms including cellular proliferation, energy supply, and invasion of neighbouring tissues. Furthermore, cervicovaginal metabolite levels related to tumor characteristics, which are used for risk stratification. Overall, development of non-invasive diagnostic can improve both the acceptability and accessibility of diagnosis.

The Effect of Patient Positioning on Ureteral Efflux During Intraoperative Cystoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between patient position during surgery and time to confirmation of ureteral patency on cystoscopy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: A total of 91 adult women undergoing laparoscopic (either conventional or robotic) hysterectomy between February 2021 and February 2022 were randomized to intervention (n = 45) or control (n = 46). Exclusion criteria included known kidney disease or urinary tract anomaly, current ureteral stent, pregnancy, malignancy, and recognized intraoperative urinary tract injury. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects in the control group were placed in a 0° supine position during cystoscopy. Subjects in the intervention group were placed in a 20° angle in reverse Trendelenburg (RT) position during cystoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome, time to confirmation of bilateral ureteral patency, was measured at the time the second ureteral jet was viewed during intraoperative cystoscopy. There was no significant difference in mean time to confirmation (66.5 seconds in supine vs 67 seconds in RT, p = .2) nor in total cystoscopy time (111 seconds in supine vs 104.5 seconds in RT, p = .39). There were no significant differences in need for alternative modalities to aid in ureteral efflux visualization, delayed diagnosis of ureteric injury, and operative time. RT position seemed to have reduced the time to confirmation for the small group of patients with longer confirmation time (>120 seconds). CONCLUSION: RT position does not change time to confirmation of bilateral ureteral patency compared with supine position. However, there may be a benefit in position change if time to confirmation is >120 seconds.

Impact of pneumoperitoneum pressure during laparoscopic hysterectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive hysterectomy is a commonly performed gynecologic procedure with associated postoperative pain managed with opioid medications. Uncontrolled postoperative pain leads to increased opioid use/abuse, longer hospital stays, increase in healthcare visits, and may negatively affect patient satisfaction. Current data suggests that reduced pneumoperitoneum insufflation pressure during laparoscopic surgery may impact postoperative pain. Given the current opioid epidemic, surgeons are proactively finding ways to reduce postoperative pain. It is unclear how reduced pneumoperitoneum pressure impacts the surgeon. We investigated the impact of reduced pneumoperitoneum insufflation pressure on surgeon satisfaction. STUDY DESIGN: This was a pilot, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial from March 2020 to July 2021 comparing pneumoperitoneum pressure of 15 mmHg to reduced pressures of 12 mmHg and 10 mmHg during laparoscopic hysterectomy. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were randomized (13 - 15 mmHg, 13 - 12 mmHg, and 14 - 10 mmHg). The primary outcome was surgeon satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain, opioid usage, and discharge timing. There were no differences in baseline demographics or perioperative characteristics. Surgeon satisfaction was negatively impacted with lower pneumoperitoneum pressures greatest with 10 mmHg, including overall satisfaction (p =.01), overall effect of the pneumoperitoneum (p =.04), and quality of visualization (p =.01). There was an apparent although not statistically significant difference in operative time (p =.06) and blood loss (p =.054). There was no difference in patient satisfaction, postoperative pain scores, opioid usage, or time to discharge. CONCLUSION(S): Reduced pneumoperitoneum insufflation pressure during laparoscopic hysterectomy negatively impacted surgeon satisfaction with a trend towards longer operative times and greater blood loss, and did not positively impact patient satisfaction, postoperative pain, opioid demand, or discharge timing.

Protein biomarkers in cervicovaginal lavages for detection of endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Rates of endometrial cancer (EC) are increasing. For a definitive diagnosis, women undergo various time-consuming and painful medical procedures, such as endometrial biopsy with or without hysteroscopy, and dilation and curettage, which may create a barrier to early detection and treatment, particularly for women with inadequate healthcare access. Thus, there is a need to develop robust EC diagnostics based on non- or minimally-invasive sampling. The objective of this study was to quantify a broad range of immuno-oncology proteins in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples and investigate these proteins as predictive diagnostic biomarkers for EC. METHODS: One hundred ninety-two women undergoing hysterectomy for benign or malignant indications were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Classification of women to four disease groups: benign conditions (n = 108), endometrial hyperplasia (n = 18), low-grade endometrioid carcinoma (n = 53) and other EC subtypes (n = 13) was based on histopathology of biopsy samples collected after the surgery. CVL samples were collected in the operating room during the standard-of-care hysterectomy procedure. Concentrations of 72 proteins in CVL samples were evaluated using multiplex immunoassays. Global protein profiles were assessed using principal component and hierarchical clustering analyses. The relationships between protein levels and disease groups and disease severity were determined using Spearman correlation, univariate and multivariate receiver operating characteristics, and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Women with EC and benign conditions exhibited distinctive cervicovaginal protein profiles. Several proteins in CVL samples (e.g., an immune checkpoint protein, TIM-3, growth factors, VEGF, TGF-α, and an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10) discriminated EC from benign conditions, particularly, when tested in combinations with CA19-9, CA125, eotaxin, G-CSF, IL-6, MCP-1, MDC, MCP-3 and TRAIL (sensitivity of 86.1% and specificity of 87.9%). Furthermore, specific biomarkers (e.g., TIM-3, VEGF, TGF-α, TRAIL, MCP-3, IL-15, PD-L2, SCF) associated with histopathological tumor characteristics, including histological type and grade, tumor size, presence and depth of myometrial invasion or mismatch repair protein status, implying their potential utility for disease prognosis or monitoring therapies. CONCLUSIONS: This proof-of-principle study demonstrated that cervicovaginal sampling coupled with multiplex immunoassay technology can offer a minimally to non-invasive method for EC detection.

Immunometabolic profiling of cervicovaginal lavages identifies key signatures associated with adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is a burdensome gynecologic condition that is associated with pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and abnormal uterine bleeding, leading to a negative impact on quality of life; and yet is often left undiagnosed. We recruited 108 women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecologic conditions and collected non-invasive cervicovaginal lavage samples for immunometabolic profiling. Patients were grouped according to adenomyosis status. We investigated the levels of 72 soluble immune proteins and >900 metabolites using multiplex immunoassays and an untargeted global metabolomics platform. There were statistically significant alterations in the levels of several immune proteins and a large quantity of metabolites, particularly cytokines related to type II immunity and amino acids, respectively. Enrichment analysis revealed that pyrimidine metabolism, carnitine synthesis, and histidine/histamine metabolism were significantly upregulated pathways in adenomyosis. This study demonstrates utility of non-invasive sampling combined with immunometabolic profiling for adenomyosis detection and a greater pathophysiological understanding of this enigmatic condition.

Mindfulness Effects in Obstetric and Gynecology Patients During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a consumer-based mobile meditation application (app) on wellness in outpatient obstetric and gynecology patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial at a university outpatient clinic of obstetric and gynecology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women were randomly assigned to the intervention group, who was prescribed a mobile meditation app for 30 days, or the control group, which received standard care. The primary outcome was self-reported perceived stress. Secondary outcomes included self-reported depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and satisfaction with the meditation app. A sample size of 80 participants (40 per group) was calculated to achieve 84% power to detect a 3-point difference in the primary outcome. RESULTS: From April to May 2020, 101 women were randomized in the study-50 in the meditation app group and 51 in the control group. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Most characteristics were similar between groups. Perceived stress was significantly less in the intervention group at days 14 and 30 (mean difference 4.27, 95% CI 1.30-7.24, P=.005, d=0.69 and mean difference 4.28, 95% CI 1.68-6.88, P=.002, d=0.69, respectively). Self-reported depression and anxiety were significantly less in the intervention group at days 14 and 30 (depression: P=.002 and P=.04; anxiety: P=.01, and P=.04, respectively). Sleep disturbance was significantly less in the intervention group at days 14 and 30 (P=.001 and P=.02, respectively). More than 80% of those in the intervention group reported high satisfaction with the meditation app, and 93% reported that mindfulness meditation improved their stress. CONCLUSION: Outpatient obstetric and gynecology patients who used the prescribed consumer-based mobile meditation app during the COVID-19 pandemic had significant reductions in perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance compared with standard care. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04329533.

Impact of Retained Cystoscopy Fluid after Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of retained cystoscopy fluid after laparoscopic hysterectomy on time to spontaneous void, time to discharge, urinary retention, bladder discomfort, and patient satisfaction. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An academic medical center. PATIENTS: One hundred and twenty patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy with universal cystoscopy for benign indications, excluding pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence indications. INTERVENTIONS: From October 10, 2018, to October 17, 2019, we compared 200 mL retained cystoscopy fluid and complete bladder emptying after laparoscopic hysterectomy with universal cystoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were enrolled and randomized (59 in the retained cystoscopy fluid group and 61 in the emptied fluid group). The primary outcome was time to first spontaneous void. The secondary outcomes were time to discharge, urinary retention rates, bladder discomfort, and patient satisfaction. A sample size of 120 was calculated to detect a 57-minute difference in time to spontaneous void. There were minimal differences in baseline demographics and surgical characteristics between the groups. There was an apparent, although not significant, difference in time to void of 25 minutes (143 minutes vs 168 minutes, p = .20). Time to discharge and urinary retention rates did not differ (199 minutes vs 214 minutes, p = .40, and 13.6% vs 8.2%, p = .51, respectively). There was no difference in postoperative bladder discomfort and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Retained cystoscopy fluid after laparoscopic hysterectomy did not significantly affect time to first spontaneous void, time to discharge, urinary retention, bladder discomfort, or patient satisfaction.

Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Manual Skills Construct Validation Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To establish validity evidence for the Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecology laparoscopic and hysteroscopic simulation systems. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was IRB approved and conducted at 15 sites in the United States and Canada. The four participant cohorts based on training status were: 1) novice (postgraduate year [PGY]-1) residents, 2) mid-level (PGY-3) residents, 3) proficient (American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology [ABOG]-certified specialists without subspecialty training); and 4) expert (ABOG-certified obstetrician-gynecologists who had completed a 2-year fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery). Qualified participants were oriented to both systems, followed by testing with five laparoscopic exercises (L-1, sleeve-peg transfer; L-2, pattern cut; L-3, extracorporeal tie; L-4, intracorporeal tie; L-5, running suture) and two hysteroscopic exercises (H-1, targeting; H-2, polyp removal). Measured outcomes included accuracy and exercise times, including incompletion rates. RESULTS: Of 227 participants, 77 were novice, 70 were mid-level, 33 were proficient, and 47 were experts. Exercise times, in seconds (±SD), for novice compared with mid-level participants for the seven exercises were as follows, and all were significant (P<.05): L-1, 256 (±59) vs 187 (±45); L-2, 274 (±38) vs 232 (±55); L-3, 344 (±101) vs 284 (±107); L-4, 481 (±126) vs 376 (±141); L-5, 494 (±106) vs 420 (±100); H-1, 176 (±56) vs 141 (±48); and H-2, 200 (±96) vs 150 (±37). Incompletion rates were highest in the novice cohort and lowest in the expert group. Exercise errors were significantly less and accuracy was greater in the expert group compared with all other groups. CONCLUSION: Validity evidence was established for the Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecology laparoscopic and hysteroscopic simulation systems by distinguishing PGY-1 from PGY-3 trainees and proficient from expert gynecologic surgeons.

Perioperative pain management in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent evidence-based interventions for perioperative pain management in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: With particular emphasis on preemptive interventions in recent studies, we found preoperative counseling, nutrition, exercise, psychological interventions, and a combination of acetaminophen, celecoxib, and gabapentin are highly important and effective measures to reduce postoperative pain and opioid demand. Intraoperative local anesthetics may help at incision sites, as a paracervical block, and a transversus abdominus plane block. Postoperatively, an effort should be made to utilize non-narcotic interventions such as abdominal binders, ice packs, simethicone, bowel regimens, gabapentin, and scheduled NSAIDs and acetaminophen. When prescribing narcotics, providers should be aware of recommended amounts of opioids required per procedure so as to avoid overprescribing. SUMMARY: Our findings emphasize the evolving importance of preemptive interventions, including prehabilitation and pharmacologic agents, to improve postoperative pain after minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Additionally, a multimodal approach to nonnarcotic intraoperative and postoperative interventions decreases narcotic requirement and improves opioid stewardship.

Prospective randomized controlled trial comparing cephalad migration in robotic gynecologic surgery using egg-crate foam versus the Pink Pad®.

The objectives of the study were to compare the cephalad migration of two patient positioning pads used in robotic gynecologic surgery and to determine if any correlation exists between cephalad movement and time in Trendelenburg position or body mass index. This was a prospective randomized controlled open-label trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). Sixty women undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic gynecologic surgery were randomized to the Pink Pad® system or egg-crate foam pre-operatively. Patients were placed under general anesthesia and then positioned in dorsal lithotomy. The locations of the iliac crest, acromion process, and buttock were marked on the table before and after surgery to calculate cephalad migration during surgery. The primary outcome was centimeters of cephalad migration at the three anatomic landmarks. Comparing the Pink Pad® (n = 24) to the egg-crate group (n = 26) revealed similar mean cephalad migration at the iliac crest (4.8 cm vs 4.3 cm, p = 0.56) and the shoulder (4.6 cm vs 3.9 cm, p = 0.39), and less cephalad migration at the buttock (median 3.0 cm vs 2.0 cm, p = 0.041). The total time in Trendelenburg was not correlated with cephalad migration at any anatomic landmark. Body mass index was positively correlated with cephalad migration only at the iliac crest (p = 0.032) regardless of pad type. The egg-crate foam resulted in less cephalad migration at all anatomic sites and significantly less migration at the buttocks compared to the Pink Pad®. This suggests that the less-costly egg-crate foam is noninferior to the Pink Pad® system and trends at superiority.

Robotic Transabdominal Cerclage vs Laparotomy: A Comparison of Obstetric and Surgical Outcomes.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare obstetric and surgical outcomes of transabdominal cerclage (TAC) via laparotomy (TAC-LAP) versus robotic-assisted (TAC-RA) approaches. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: An academic medical center. PATIENTS: Sixty-nine women with acquired or congenital cervical insufficiency. INTERVENTIONS: All women underwent TAC either by laparotomy or robotic-assisted approaches by 2 primary surgeons between January 2003 and July 2018. Women with a preconceptional TAC without a subsequent pregnancy were excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 69 women met inclusion criteria in the 15-year study period with 40 in the historical TAC-LAP group and 29 in the TAC-RA group. Gestational age at delivery was similar in the 2 groups (36 weeks 3 days vs 37 weeks; median difference -1 day, 95% confidence interval [CI] -6 to 2, p = .36). There were no differences in birth weight, Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit admission, or neonatal survival. Estimated blood loss and length of stay were significantly greater in the TAC-LAP group (50 mL vs 20 mL; median difference 25, 95% CI 5-40, p = .007 and 76 hours vs 3 hours; median difference 71, 95% CI 65-75, p <.001, respectively). Operative time was significantly shorter in the TAC-LAP group (65 minutes vs 132 minutes; median difference -64.7, 95% CI -79 to -49, p <.001). There was one intra-operative complication and 4 minor postoperative complications in the TAC-LAP group and none observed in the TAC-RA group. All outcomes were similar when comparing postconceptional TAC alone, except there was no longer a difference in blood loss. When comparing pre- versus postconceptional robotic TAC, there were no differences in surgical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Robotic TAC has similar favorable obstetric outcomes to traditional laparotomy and is associated with reduced blood loss and shorter hospital stays. Despite longer operative times, the robotic group did not experience any intra-operative or postoperative complications, which speaks to the benefits of this minimally invasive approach to TAC.

Surgical Equipment Price Awareness Amongst Obstetrician-Gynecologists.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Physicians typically have little information of surgical device pricing, although this trend has not been studied in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. We therefore aimed to determine how accurately obstetrician-gynecologists estimate surgical device prices, and to identify factors associated with accuracy. METHODS: An anonymous survey was emailed to all obstetrician-gynecologist attendings, fellows, and residents at 3 teaching hospitals in a single healthcare system in Arizona. We obtained demographic data, perceptions of price transparency and self-rated price knowledge, and price estimates for 31 surgical devices. RESULTS: After participants provided consent and demographics, they then estimated the purchasing price of 31 devices. We defined price accuracy as being within ±10% of the hospital's purchasing price. Fifty-six of the 170 (32.9%) invitees completed the survey and 48 (28.2%) provided price estimates. On average, participants identified 1.9 items correctly (6.1%; range, 0-7 items) out of 31 with no difference in accuracy based on seniority, surgical volume, physician reimbursement structure, nor subspecialty practice-focus. All (100%) respondents felt pricing should be transparent, and only 1.8% felt it is at least somewhat transparent. CONCLUSION: We found that price-estimate accuracy was very low and had no association with any of the demographics. Also notable was the perception that pricing is not transparent despite a unanimous desire for transparency. Although physicians reported a preference for using less-expensive surgical devices, we conclude that physicians are unequipped to make cost-conscious decisions highlighting a large potential for education.

Robot-assisted transabdominal cerclage for the prevention of preterm birth: A multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: High-risk pregnancy stratification and the use of Progesterone and prophylactic cerclage based on prior obstetrical outcomes and cervical length screening have been successful in curbing the impact of preterm birth. However, a large number of women will still suffer from preterm delivery even with optimal management. Experts agree that a transabdominal cerclage is the next best option for women who fail a transvaginal cerclage in a prior pregnancy. Our primary objective with this study is to assess the obstetric benefits and feasibility of robotic-assisted transabdominal cerclage in high-risk women projected to have poor obstetric outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients undergoing a robotic-assisted transabdominal cerclage (RA-TAC) for obstetric indications at two urban teaching university hospital and one academically affiliated community hospital. High-volume gynecologic surgeons performed all transabdominal cerclage procedures (N = 68). To assess whether the transabdominal cerclage had any effect on subsequent pregnancies, we categorized gestational age into ordinal variables and used a two-proportion z-test to compare pregnancy outcomes and neonatal survival pre (n = 200) and post (n = 59) abdominal cerclage placement. RESULTS: A total of 68 consecutive patients undergoing a RA-TAC for obstetric indications were selected. We compared 200 pregnancies pre-robot-assisted cerclage to 59 pregnancies post-robot-assisted cerclage. The odds of delivering after 34 and 37 weeks gestational age was 4.0 and 3.6 times greater post-robot-assisted cerclage, respectively (P < 0.001). The RA-TAC also had a significant effect on neonatal survival. The odds of neonatal survival was 12.6 times greater after RA-TAC placement when compared to prior pregnancy outcomes. Surgical outcomes were also favorable with no conversions to laparotomy or perioperative pregnancy loss. CONCLUSION: The RA-TAC influences an increase in gestational age and improves neonatal survival in women projected to have poor pregnancy outcomes. The robot-assisted transabdominal cerclages provide excellent obstetric outcomes without the morbidity of a laparotomy or the technical challenges associated with a conventional straight-stick laparoscopy. This procedure is not intended to replace any other minimally invasive modality for cerclage placement but rather increase awareness of a less technically challenging option for transabdominal cerclage placement to help propagate the procedure to more patients.

Needleless Robotic-Assisted Abdominal Cerclage in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the step-by-step surgical technique of "needle-free" robotic-assisted transabdominal cerclage placement. DESIGN: Through surgical video footage, presentation of a step-by-step demonstration of robotic-assisted laparoscopic placement of abdominal cerclage (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: The procedure was undertaken at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The local Institutional Review Board does not consider case reports research, and thus its approval was not required. PATIENTS: The patients had a history of cervical insufficiency. The first patient (case 1) was a nongravid 32-year-old woman with 2 late second trimester pregnancies delivered by cesarean section owing to cervical insufficiency. The second patient (case 2) was a 26-year-old woman in her sixth pregnancy with 4 previous second trimester losses due to cervical insufficiency, including a failed McDonald cerclage. INTERVENTIONS: Robotic-assisted abdominal cerclage placement was performed in both patients. The procedure used an 8-mm, 0° scope; an 8-mm, 30° scope; monopolar scissors; and Maryland bipolar graspers. Following a complete survey of the pelvis and abdomen, the cervicouterine isthmus was identified bilaterally. The anterior leaflet of the right broad ligament was entered sharply, and the dissection was carried out in small increments to ensure safety and hemostasis. The right uterine artery was identified and skeletonized. The left broad ligament was entered in a similar fashion. Once a bladder flap was developed, a gentle wiping technique allowed for mobilization of the bladder from the vesicouterine junction with excellent hemostasis. In case 1, a uterine manipulator was used to flex the uterus. In case 2, a laparoscopic paddle device was introduced gently to allow for mobilization of the gravid uterus. An avascular tunnel was created on both sides of the cervicouterine isthmus, thereby eliminating the need for the Mersilene tape needle. Thus, a needleless Mersilene tape was introduced into the tunnel formed previously. In our opinion, the ideal knot placement is in the posterior cul-de-sac, as shown in the nongravid uterus. However, in the gravid uterus, owing to the difficulty of access, the knot was placed anteriorly, and reperitonization was performed. Four square knots were sufficient, with the snug (but not too tight) Mersilene tape at the cervicouterine isthmus. In both cases, there was minimal blood loss with no complications. In addition to these 2 operations, robotic-assisted transabdominal cerclage was successfully performed in another 21 patients. CONCLUSION: A needle-less robotic-assisted laparoscopic technique can be performed safely and effectively in both gravid and nongravid patients.