Robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy: initial experience in Korea / 대한산부인과학회지

Hysterectomy is one of the most common non-pregnancy-associated surgical techniques in the field of gynecology. Over the years, this laparoscopic approach has evolved to include both subtotal and total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Robot-assisted technology may attenuate the learning curve for complex laparoscopic procedures, leveling the playing field between conventional laparotomy practitioners and laparoscopists. The advantages of robotics, such as motion scaling, three-dimensional visualization, and articulated instrumentation, enables complex surgical procedures to be performed with greater dexterity, more quickly, and more easily by many surgeons. We have experienced a case of patient with carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix treated by robotic surgery. We report the first case treated by robotic total laparoscopic hysterectomy with a brief review of literature.

Clinical significance of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in ovarian mature cystic teratoma / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study is to determine serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 levels in ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT) as a possible differential diagnostic tool. METHODS: The study group was composed of 201 patients who underwent removal of ovarian MCT and pathologically confirmed at Yonsei University Medical Center from January 2001 to July 2005. All of them were tested for serum CA19-9 levels before operation. Their data was compared with routine gynecologic evaluation group who showed normal serum CA19-9 level. Statistical analysis was carried out with t-test and Pearson correlation by SPSS version 12.0. RESULTS: Serum CA19-9 level was significantly elevated in the patients with ovarian MCT (p=0.011). Serum CA19-9 level and size of MCT showed positive correlation (p=0.009). Moreover, postoperative serum CA19-9 level showed significant decrease, compared to preoperative level (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Serum CA19-9 can be used as an effective method for differential diagnosis of ovarian MCT, and it is proper to be used as a postoperative follow-up test.