Paracervical Block or Uterosacral Ligament Infiltration for Benign Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of preemptive paracervical block or uterosacral ligament infiltration in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption after benign minimally invasive hysterectomy. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar from inception until February 2020. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: We identified randomized placebo-controlled trials assessing the primary outcome of pain and opioid consumption after paracervical block or uterosacral infiltration in benign laparoscopic, vaginal, or robotic hysterectomy. Two investigators evaluated studies for risk of bias and quality of evidence. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: We reviewed 219 abstracts; 6 studies met the inclusion criteria: 3 using paracervical block (2 vaginal and 1 laparoscopic) and 3 using uterosacral ligament infiltration (all vaginal). Two studies were included in the meta-analysis (both vaginal hysterectomy). Because of lack of numerical data, or comparison, the other 4 studies are reported in narrative form. Three controlled trials reported a moderate benefit from paracervical block up to 8 hours after vaginal and 4 hours after laparoscopic surgery. Meta-analysis could not be performed because of the lack of numerical data for pooling results or the lack of a laparoscopic hysterectomy comparison group. Three trials reported that uterosacral infiltration decreases pain up to 6 hours after vaginal hysterectomy, and meta-analysis pooling the results of 2 of these studies demonstrated improvement in pain up to 4 hours on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale for pain (-19.97 mm; 95% confidence interval, -29.02 to -10.91; P < 0.000). Five trials reported a moderate reduction in cumulative opioid use within 24 hours after vaginal surgery for both paracervical block and uterosacral infiltration. Meta-analysis was not performed for paracervical block because only 1 trial provided suitable data for pooling. Meta-analysis pooling the results of 2 trials of uterosacral infiltration demonstrated opioid consumption of 20.73 morphine milligram equivalents less compared with controls (95% confidence interval, -23.54 to -17.91; P < 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: There were a total of 6 randomized placebo-controlled studies evaluated in this study. Although a meta-analysis was unable to be performed for all studies because of lack of comparison groups or numerical data, there is evidence that preemptive uterosacral ligament infiltration may reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption after vaginal hysterectomy. Our study does not allow us to make any substantive conclusions on the use of paracervical block in vaginal hysterectomy or the use of either type of injection in laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy.

Managing chronic pelvic pain following reconstructive pelvic surgery with transvaginal mesh.

In 2001, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first transvaginal mesh kit to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Since the introduction of vaginal mesh kits, some vaginal meshes have been associated with chronic pelvic pain after reconstructive pelvic floor surgery. Pelvic pain results in between 0 % and 30 % of patients following transvaginal mesh placement. Common causes of chronic pelvic pain include pelvic floor muscle spasm, pudendal neuralgia, and infection. Paucity of data exists on the effective management of chronic pelvic pain after pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh. We outline the management of chronic pelvic pain after transvaginal mesh placement for reconstructive pelvic floor repair based on our clinical experience and adaptation of data used in other aspects of managing chronic pelvic pain conditions.

Epidermoid cyst of round ligament: case report and review of literature.

Round ligament tumors are rare, and when found are typically leiomyomas. Herein is described a case of an epidermoid cyst of the round ligament, previously reported only once in the literature. Epidermoid cysts are similar to dermoid tumors but have only an epidermis-lined structure filled with keratin. Management included laparoscopic removal of the tumor. The patient's recovery was uneventful.