Charbel Salamon

Robotic surgery simulation may provide a way for surgeons to acquire specific robotic surgical skills without practicing on live patients. Five robotic surgery experts performed 10 simulator skills to the best of their ability, and thus, established expert benchmarks for all parameters of these skills. A group of credentialed gynecologic surgeons naive to robotics practiced the simulator skills until they were able to perform each one as well as our experts. Within a week of doing so, they completed robotic pig laboratory training, after which they performed supracervical hysterectomies as their first-ever live human robotic surgery. Time, blood loss, and blinded assessments of surgical skill were compared among the experts, novices, and a group of control surgeons who had robotic privileges but no simulator exposure. Sample size estimates called for 11 robotic novices to achieve 90% power to detect a 1 SD difference between operative times of experts and novices (α = 0.05). Fourteen novice surgeons completed the study-spending an average of 20 hours (range, 9.7-38.2 hours) in the simulation laboratory to pass the expert protocol. The mean operative times for the expert and novices were 20.2 (2.3) and 21.7 (3.3) minutes, respectively (P = 0.12; 95% confidence interval, -1.7 to 4.7), whereas the mean time for control surgeons was 30.9 (0.6) minutes (P < 0.0001; 95% confidence interval, 6.3-12.3). Comparisons of estimated blood loss (EBL) and blinded video assessment of skill yielded similar differences between groups. Completing this protocol of robotic simulator skills translated to expert-level surgical times during live human surgery. As such, we have established predictive validity of this protocol.

This study aimed to compare sexual function before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material. This was a secondary analysis of sexual function measured before and 1 year after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in a group of 81 sexually active women participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing porcine dermis and polypropylene mesh. Sexual function was assessed using the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Responses to individual questions from the physical domain of the PISQ-12 were also analyzed. Additional information included the type of mesh material used and whether a concomitant suburethral sling or perineorrhaphy was performed. There was a significant postoperative improvement in total PISQ-12 scores for the entire cohort (33.2 vs 38.3, P < 0.01). Similarly, PISQ-12 scores were significantly improved in both groups (33.2 preoperative vs 37.4 one year postoperative in the porcine dermis, P < 0.01 and 33.2 vs 39.2 in the polypropylene mesh, P < 0.01). There were no differences between the 2 graft material groups. Preoperatively, 63.0% (48/76) of women reported avoiding sexual intercourse because of bulging in vagina (PISQ12-question #8), at 1 year postoperatively only 4% (3/76) had a positive response (P < 0.01). We observed a significant decrease in the number of women who reported pain during intercourse at 12 months as evidenced by the responses to the PISQ12-question #5, 47.4% (36/76) versus 26.3% (20/76) (P < 0.01). The addition of a suburethral sling or a perineorrhaphy did not negatively impact sexual function at 1 year. Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy had a positive impact on sexual function at 1 year regardless of whether a porcine dermis or a polypropylene mesh material was used.

: Delivery mode following midurethral sling remains controversial. There are no formal guidelines as to the preferred mode of delivery following midurethral sling. : A 33-year-old gravida 2 para 2 underwent midurethral sling placement 16 months after the delivery of her first child for severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI). She conceived 2 months postprocedure and had an uneventful antepartum course. She remained without any SUI and delivered via uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery at 38 weeks' gestation. One year after her delivery, she was still free of SUI symptoms. : Midurethral sling placement may be a valid treatment option for patients with stress incontinence even if they are contemplating future pregnancies and subsequent vaginal delivery.

To compare the surgical outcomes 12 months after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy performed with porcine dermis and the current gold standard of polypropylene mesh. Patients scheduled for laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy were eligible for this randomized controlled trial. Both our clinical research nurse and the patients were blinded as to which material was used. Our primary end point was objective anatomic cure defined as no pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) points Stage 2 or greater at any postoperative interval. Our sample size calculation called for 57 patients in each group to achieve 90% power to detect a 23% difference in objective anatomic cure at 12 months (α=0.05). Our secondary end point was clinical cure. Any patient with a POP-Q point greater than zero, or Point C less than or equal to -5, or any complaints of prolapse symptoms whatsoever on Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 or Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7, or reoperation for prolapse were considered "clinical failures"; the rest were "clinical cures." Statistical comparisons were performed using the χ or independent samples t test as appropriate. As expected, there were no preoperative differences between the porcine (n=57) and mesh (n=58) groups. The 12-month objective anatomic cure rates for the porcine and mesh groups were 80.7% and 86.2%, respectively (P=.24), and the "clinical cure" rates for the porcine and mesh groups were 84.2% and 89.7%, respectively (P=.96). Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 score improvements were significant for both groups with no differences found between groups. There were no major operative complications. There were similar outcomes in subjective or objective results 12 months after laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy performed with either porcine dermis or polypropylene mesh. ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00564083. I.

ABSTRACT We aimed to assess the subjective and objective outcomes 1 year after robotic sacrocolpopexy using a type I polypropylene mesh. This was a case series of 64 patients who underwent a robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy using a type I monofilament polypropylene mesh coated with hydrophilic porcine collagen. Objective and subjective outcomes were assessed using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q), the short forms of the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ 7) and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). Outcome measures were collected pre-operatively and 1 year post-operatively on all but one patient, who was lost to follow-up. Paired comparisons between pre- and post-operative outcomes were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. At 1 year, POP-Q stage II or greater and loss of follow-up were considered to be surgical failure. The “surgical cure” rate was 89%. We observed three distal anterior failures, two distal posterior failures and one apical failure, and one patient was lost to follow-up. We found significant differences between pre- and post-operative POP-Q measurements (p < 0.001) and PFDI-20/PFIQ-7 total scores (p < 0.001). Robotic sacrocolpopexy using this polypropylene mesh resulted in significant improvements in subjective and objective outcome measures at 1 year.

This study aimed to determine bowel function changes 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy. We performed a single-center prospective cohort study evaluating bowel function 12 months after robotic sacrocolpopexy between 2007 and 2011. Bowel function symptoms were measured by the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory, Short Form 8 (CRADI-8). Specific impacts on quality of life with regard to bowel function were evaluated using the Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (CRAIQ-7). "Splinting to defecate" was defined as any positive response to question 4 of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 which reads, "do you ever have to push on the vagina or around the rectum to have or complete a bowel movement?." Lastly, patients were grouped according to perineorrhaphy versus no perineorrhaphy and bowel function scores were examined. Of 423 consecutive patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy at our institution, 393 (93%) completed a 12-month follow-up. Mean CRADI-8 scores at baseline and 12 months were 21.1 (20) and 7.3 (11), respectively (P < 0.0001). Mean CRAIQ-7 scores at baseline and 12 months were 11.1 (20) and 2.4 (9), respectively (P < 0.0001). Preoperatively, 152 patients reported a need to splint the vagina or perineum to complete a bowel movement. At 12 months, 70% reported complete resolution of "splinting." Con comitant perineorrhaphy was performed on 87 patients and there were no differences in 12-month CRADI-8 or CRAIQ-7 scores between groups. Robotic sacrocolpopexy was associated with significant improvements in bowel function as measured by CRADI-8 as well as improvements in impact on quality of life as measured by CRAIQ-7.

To prospectively evaluate the use of a particular polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy. This was a prospective study of 120 patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy. We compared preoperative and 12-month postoperative objective and subjective assessments via the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Short Form 20 (PFDI-20); the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7); and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12 (PISQ-12). Objective "anatomical success" was defined as POP-Q stage 0 or 1 at all postoperative intervals. We further defined "clinical cure" by simultaneously considering POP-Q points and subjective measures. To be considered a "clinical cure," a given patient had to have all POP-Q points ≤0, apical POP-Q point C ≤5, no reported pelvic organ prolapse symptoms on the PFDI-20, and no reoperation for prolapse at all postoperative intervals. Of the 120 patients, 118 patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The objective "anatomical success" rate was 89 % and the "clinical cure" rate was 94 %. The PFDI-20 mean score improved from 100.4 at baseline to 21.0 at 12 months (p < 0.0001); PFIQ-7 scores improved from 61.6 to 8.0 (p < 0.0001); and PISQ-12 scores improved from 35.7 to 38.6 (p < 0.0009). No mesh erosions or mesh-related complications occurred. The use of this ultra-lightweight Y mesh for sacrocolpopexy, eliminated the mesh-related complications in the first postoperative year, and provided significant improvement in subjective and objective outcomes.

Paratubal cysts, generally known as hydatid cysts of Morgagni, are small round cysts attached by a pedicle to the fimbriated end of the tube. The following represents the first reported case of an endometrioid tumor of low malignant potential arising in a paratubal cyst. A 45-year-old nulliparous female was referred with a complex right adnexal mass on pelvic sonogram. She underwent laparoscopic bilateral ovarian cystectomy and partial right salpingectomy (for a 3-cm torsed paratubal cyst). All frozen-section diagnoses were benign; however, final pathology revealed a borderline tumor of low malignant potential of endometrioid type in the right paratubal cyst. The patient underwent extensive counseling regarding management options and decided to have a laparoscopic right salpingo-oophorectomy. Final pathologic analysis revealed no evidence of persistent borderline tumor. Paratubal cysts are very difficult to diagnose with sonography; therefore, their management should be approached as any other adnexal mass. Laparoscopic surgery is an option in the management of adnexal masses; however, rupture or puncture of masses should be avoided when possible to prevent potential tumor dissemination in the event of a malignancy.