Midterm results of robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Robotic assistance simplifies laparoscopic procedures. We hypothesize that robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy is a rapid and safe procedure with satisfying short-term and midterm functional results. METHODS: After informed consent, we enrolled 101 consecutive patients undergoing sacrocolpopexy at Alfried Krupp Hospital, Essen, Germany. After a median follow-up of 22 months, we assessed midterm functional results as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included surgical duration, blood loss, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications. We described frequencies as counts (percent) and continuous data as median [interquartile range (Q1-Q3)] or mean [standard deviation (SD)], as appropriate. RESULTS: We enrolled 101 patients. The mean age was 69 years (SD 11); 75 women (74.3 %) had undergone previous abdominal surgery. Among the patients, 95 (94.1 %) presented with anterior vaginal wall prolapse Baden-Walker grade 2-3, 74 (73.3 %) vaginal vault prolapse, and 9 (8.9 %) concomitant rectocele. Fifty (50 %) patients underwent a modified Burch procedure in addition to sacrocolpopexy. The median surgical duration was 96 min (Q1-Q3 83-130). There were six (5.9 %) minor intraoperative complications but no conversions to open surgery. Postoperatively, we registered five (4.9 %) Clavien-Dindo grade I complications, three (3.0 %) grade II complications, and one (1.0 %) grade III complication. After a median follow-up of 22 months (Q1-Q3 12-49), the patients reported significant decreased impact of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) on quality of life as well as bother resulting from POP symptoms. The overall success rate, defined as none or minor impact of POP on quality of life, was 75 %. CONCLUSIONS: In this single-surgeon study, robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy was a safe and rapidly performed procedure that achieved good medium-term functional results.

Refurbishment works in a hospital during normal operation.

BACKGROUND: Construction and renovation work in hospitals pose risks of fungal airborne infections for immunosuppressed patients. If possible, reconstruction work will be postponed to periods without patient treatment. However, in many situations urgent damage demands immediate refurbishment works before the transferring of patients to other wards or closure of wards is possible. Reported here are infection control related measures and implemented procedures after two incidents of water damage which occurred on a surgical ward and an intensive care unit at the University hospital of Essen. METHODS: Between January and April 2009 and between September and October 2009, respectively, concentration of air-borne particles and number of viable fungi were measured at two surgical wards and one ICU. Preventive Infection Control Measures included erection of protective walls and HEPA filtration of air from the renovation area. RESULTS: During the renovation work on the surgical ward concentrations of moulds and particles ≥5 µm were significantly higher on the left side of the renovation area than on the right side (p=0.036 and p<0.001). Concentrations of particles ≥1 µm and particles ≥5 µm on both sides of the renovation area were significantly increased when compared with the control ward on the same floor but not when compared with the control ward on the other floor. Particles of all size were significantly elevated on the ICU during the renovation work. Aspergillus fumigatus could neither be cultured of the air of cardiac surgery intensive care unit nor of the intermediate care unit (control ward). During renovation works there was no nosocomial mould infection of patients treated on the two wards. CONCLUSION: Provided that the renovation area is tightly insulated from the areas of patient care on a ward, closure does not seem to be necessary during renovation works because variation of airborne fungi is similar to that of outdoor or control air. However a multidisciplinary team should be established. This team should perform risk assessment and determine necessary protective measures before starting any construction, renovation or maintenance work in health care settings.