Uterine pseudoaneurysm on the basis of deep infiltrating endometriosis during pregnancy-a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysm of the uterine artery (UPA) is a rare cause of potentially life-threatening hemorrhage during pregnancy and puerperium. It is an uncommon condition that mainly occurs after traumatic injury to a vessel following pelvic surgical intervention, but also has been reported based on underlying endometriosis. There is an increased risk of developing UPA during pregnancy. Diagnosis includes clinical symptoms, with severe abdominal pain and is confirmed by sonographic or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Due to its potential risk of rupture, with a subsequent hypovolemic maternal shock and high fetal mortality, an interdisciplinary treatment should be considered expeditiously. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 34-year old pregnant symptomatic patient, where a large UPA was detected at 26 weeks, based on deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The UPA was successfully treated by selective arterial embolization. After embolization, the pain decreased but the woman still required intravenous analgesics during follow-up. At 37 weeks she developed a sepsis from the intravenous catheter which led to a cesarean section and delivery of a healthy boy. She was discharged 10 days postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: UPA should be considered in pregnant women with severe abdominal and pelvic pain, once other obstetrical factors have been excluded. DIE might be the underlying diagnosis. It is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition for mother and fetus.

A laparoscopic study investigating 3D vs 2D imaging systems using a pelvitrainer model with experts, non-experts, and students.

BACKGROUND: Vision is an essential element of laparoscopic surgery that defines the outcome of an operation in regards to time, mistakes and precision. A 3-dimensional (3D) perspective may improve vision during an operation. Therefore, this study was designed to compare 3D versus 2-dimensional (2D) perspectives using a pelvitrainer model. METHODS: Fifty candidates were divided into 3 categories based on different experience levels. The candidates were randomised into two groups, with each group performing the same 4 standardised tasks. Group A approached the tasks first with 3D high definition and in a second turn with 2D high definition. Group B carried out the tasks with the systems in reverse order. Task completion time and the number of mistakes made for each task were recorded. After completing the tasks, participants answered questions concerning the two systems. RESULTS: Group A was, on average, 20% faster at all four tasks and made approximately 18% fewer mistakes in two of the tasks in comparison to group B. The experts significantly benefited from the 3D system in terms of accuracy compared to non-experts and students. The students demonstrated a significantly greater benefit from the 3D system when performing non-linear, continuous movements. Loss of concentration occurred at the same rate for subjects using the 2D and 3D systems. Nausea and dizziness were reported only when working with the 3D system. 91% found the 3D system advantageous for accomplishing the tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of experience level, 3D laparoscopy shows advantages in saving time, increasing accuracy and reducing mistakes. These benefits were also accompanied by subjective advantages that were noted by the participants. However, the more complex the task, the less significant the benefit of the 3D system and some people feel handicapped by the eyewear.

Performance of Kymerax© precision-drive articulating surgical system compared to conventional laparoscopic instruments in a pelvitrainer model.

BACKGROUND: The Kymerax© Precision-Drive Articulating Surgical System by Terumo© is a handheld laparoscopic robot which permits motion in two additional degrees of freedom (deflection and rotation in the instrument tip). In a pelvitrainer model, we compared the performance of participants with different laparoscopic experiences and compared Kymerax© to conventional laparoscopic instruments. METHODS: 20 expert surgeons, performing more than 50 laparoscopic procedures per year, and 25 medical students without any experience in surgery at all were selected. Each participant was randomized into two groups: Group TK performed the tasks using the traditional laparoscopic Instruments (TLI) first and Kymerax© thereafter, group KT vice versa. Six standardized tasks were used: Two instructional exercises and four tasks where time, number of mistakes, and overall precision were measured. Finally, a questionnaire had to be answered. RESULTS: All four tasks were performed significantly more slowly with the Kymerax© device. Improved needle control in stitches towards the surgeon, significantly less deviation while cutting along different lines as well as a significantly reduced fraying of the cutting edge were found when participants were using Kymerax©. By questionnaire more than 90% of the participants indicated clear advantages using Kymerax©. However, participants needed more training time and had an earlier loss of concentration with Kymerax©. Further complaints about Kymerax© were its limitations in rotation and deflection, the impaired view as well as the non-ergonomic instrument handle. Rotation force, instrument weight, digital instrument-tip control, and needle fixation were rated as accurate. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that more time is needed to solve tasks with Kymerax© compared to conventional laparoscopic instruments. Kymerax© is superior to conventional laparoscopy for suturing at difficult angles and cutting along complex structures. Kymerax© can potentially bring benefits for certain laparoscopic tasks, but as seen in this study, further developments are necessary. Terumo© meanwhile closed down its Kymerax

Intracorporeal vs. extracorporeal open and closed knot tying techniques in laparoscopy: A randomized, controlled study.

Objective: Tying knots during suturing is one of the most challenging tasks in laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, measures aimed at ensuring both the ease and speed of knot tying not only benefit the surgeon but can also reduce operating time significantly. This study compared extracorporeal and intracorporeal knot tying techniques using a Szabo pelvic trainer model from the Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgical Education and Assessment program. Design: The students tied intra- and extracorporeal knots using closed- and open-jaw knot pushers. Using an artificial tissue suturing pad in a certified Szabo pelvic trainer, students tied three knots using each technique according to block randomization. Task completion time, knot strength, knot-spread ability, and number of errors were recorded. The Wilcoxon test and mixed-effects models were used to analyze the results. After completing the exercises, participants answered a questionnaire concerning knot-tying techniques and their performance. Setting: University Hospital Basel, which provides tertiary-level clinical care. Participants: Fifty-seven medical students with no experience in laparoscopy voluntarily signed up for this study. Results: Open and closed extracorporeal knot tying was significantly faster (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), more precise (p = 0.007, p = 0.003), and associated with reduced knot-spread ability (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) compared to intracorporeal knot tying. Open- and closed-jaw knot pushers were shown to be equal in terms of speed (p = 0.563), knot-spread ability (p = 0.49), and precision (p = 0.831). The study participants rated open (30 %) and closed (49 %) extracorporeal knot tying as more intuitive than intracorporeal (21 %) knot tying. Improved concentration was significantly correlated with tighter knots (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Students achieved significantly better results using extracorporeal knot-tying techniques than intracorporeal ones, including greater speed, tighter knots, and optimized precision. These results suggest that beginners in the field of laparoscopy should be encouraged to practice extracorporeal knot-tying techniques.

Comparison of different suture techniques for laparoscopic vaginal cuff closure.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy is a commonly performed procedure. However, one high-risk complication is vaginal cuff dehiscence. Currently, there is no standardization regarding thread material or suturing technique for vaginal cuff closure. Therefore, this study aimed to compare extracorporeal and intracorporeal suturing techniques for vaginal cuff closure using a pelvic trainer model. Eighteen experts in laparoscopic surgery performed vaginal cuff closures with interrupted sutures using intracorporeal knotting, extracorporeal knotting and continuous, unidirectional barbed sutures. While using an artificial tissue suturing pad in a pelvic trainer, experts performed vaginal cuff closure using each technique according to block randomization. Task completion time, tension resistance, and the number of errors were recorded. After completing the exercises, participants answered a questionnaire concerning the suturing techniques and their performance. Experts completed suturing more quickly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) and with improved tension resistance (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) when using barbed suturing compared to intracorporeal and extracorporeal knotting. Furthermore, the intracorporeal knotting technique was performed faster (p = 0.04) and achieved greater tension resistance (p = 0.023) compared to extracorporeal knotting. The number of laparoscopic surgeries performed per year was positively correlated with vaginal cuff closure duration (p = 0.007). Barbed suturing was a time-saving technique with improved tension resistance for vaginal cuff closure.

Comparison of 2D 4K vs. 3D HD laparoscopic imaging systems in bariatric surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Vision is an important and defining element of laparoscopy and significantly affects the outcome of surgery in terms of time, error, and precision. Several new imaging systems have become available for laparoscopic surgery, including three-dimensional (3D) high-definition (HD) and two-dimensional (2D) ultra-high-resolution (4K) monitors. 3D HD systems offer a number of potential benefits to surgeons and patients over traditional 2D systems, including reduced operating time, blood loss, and hospital stay. However, the performance of 3D systems against the new, ultra-high definition 4K systems is barely known and highly controversial. There is a paucity of studies comparing them in clinical settings. The aim of this study is to compare 2D 4K and 3D HD perspectives in gastric bypass surgery. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with an indication for gastric bypass will be randomized to receive laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery using either 2D 4K or 3D HD systems. The operations will be performed by a well-coordinated team of three senior surgeons. The primary outcome is operative time. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative complications, blood loss, operator workload as assessed by the validated Surg-TLX questionnaire, and postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. An interim analysis is planned after enrollment of 12 participants for each group. DISCUSSION: This prospective, randomized trial is designed to test the hypothesis that the use of a 3D HD system will result in a significant improvement in operative time compared to a 2D 4K system in bariatric surgery. The objective is to provide clinical evidence for new laparoscopic imaging systems and to evaluate potential benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT05895058. Registered 30 May 2023. BASEC2023-D0014 [Registry ID Swissethics, approved 3 May 2023]. SNCTP000005489 [SNCTP study register, last updated 13 July 2023].

Comparison of 2D 4K vs. 3D HD laparoscopic imaging systems using a pelvitrainer model: a randomized controlled study.

Laparoscopic surgery provides well-known benefits, but it has technological limitations. Depth perception is particularly crucial, with three-dimensional (3D) imaging being superior to two-dimensional (2D) HD imaging. However, with the introduction of 4K resolution monitors, 2D rendering is capable of providing higher-quality visuals. Therefore, this study aimed to compare 3D HD and 2D 4K imaging using a pelvitrainer model. Eight experts and 32 medical students were performing the same four standardized tasks using 2D 4K and 3D HD imaging systems. Task completion time and the number of errors made were recorded. The Wilcoxon test and mixed-effects models were used to analyze the results. Students were significantly faster in all four tasks when using the 3D HD perspective. The median difference ranged from 18 s in task 3 (P < 0.003) up to 177.5 s in task 4 (P < 0.001). With the exception of task 4, students demonstrated significantly fewer errors in all tasks involving 3D HD imaging. The experts' results confirmed these findings, as they were also faster in all four tasks using 3D HD, which was significant for task 1 (P < 0.001) and task 4 (P < 0.006). The expert group also achieved better movement accuracy using the 3D HD system, with fewer mistakes made in all four tasks, which was significant in task 4 (P < 0.001). Participants in both groups achieved better results with the 3D HD imaging system than with the 2D 4K system. The 3D HD image system should be used when available. Trial registration: this trial is registered at research registry under the identifier researchregistry6852.