ABSTRACT
A surgical technique has been developed using a robot-assisted system to create the surgical anatomical structure of the uterine artery caudal space (UACS), a landmark for performing extrafascial hysterectomy, enabling a safe and easy parametrial resection to prevent ureteral injury and cervical sidewall bleeding at hysterectomy. UACS is created to preserve the ureterohypogastric nerve fascia (UHNF), which envelopes the ureter and the hypogastric nerve, and the vesicohypogastric fascia (VF), which wraps the uterine artery and veins. The boundaries of UACS are UHNF laterally, the uterine cervix medially, and VF cranially. VF is penetrated between UACS and the medial pararectal space under the uterine vessels and transected. We present a case of early-stage uterine cancer and describe the new surgical technique in detail, using UACS as a surgical landmark. This surgical technique could be applied not only to early-stage uterine cancer but also to benign uterine tumors using a robot-assisted surgical system.
ABSTRACT
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare complication of pregnancy that may result in fulminant hepatic failure. A 28-year-old woman, at 36 weeks of gestation, presented to a maternal-fetal outpatient clinic with fever and headache. She was prescribed analgesics and was planned for follow-up. Two days later, she was taken back for evaluation by her husband to the previous physician again because of the subacute onset of impaired consciousness. Blood tests showed a marked elevation of liver enzymes and C-reactive protein (CRP), and the patient was transported to a tertiary hospital. A clinical diagnosis of AFLP or hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome was made, and an emergency cesarean section was performed. Unconsciousness was prolonged due to mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) for three days. A liver biopsy was performed on postoperative day 11. Liver biopsy results showed large and small droplet fatty deposits, and the diagnosis of AFLP was confirmed. Thereafter, the elevated liver enzymes resolved spontaneously solely by supportive care. The patient presented with symptoms of impaired consciousness due to mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS), which led to a visit to a tertiary hospital and early intervention for AFLP. This case suggested that there may be similarities between the two pathologies of AFLP and MERS.
ABSTRACT
Ovarian torsion during pregnancy is a rare condition that needs prompt diagnosis and detorsion in order to preserve ovarian function. Diagnosing ovarian torsion is a difficult procedure especially in pregnant cases since radiation exposure should be avoided. Detecting the whirlpool sign by ultrasonography is a highly useful technique as it is noninvasive, less time-consuming, and radiation-free. Here is a case of ovarian torsion due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome diagnosed solely by sonographic features and in which laparoscopic detorsion was promptly performed. A 26-year-old woman in her sixth week of pregnancy visited a tertiary hospital with sudden onset lower abdomen pain. Transvaginal ultrasound detected an 8 cm left ovary and a whirlpool sign between the uterus and left ovary. Ovarian torsion was suspected and laparoscopic surgery was performed. Intraoperatively, an enlarged left ovary was twisted at 540° involving the left fallopian tube. After detorsion, bilateral ovaries were preserved and the postoperative course was uneventful. Ovarian torsion was suspected solely by ultrasonographic features which led to surgical detorsion quickly, resulting in the preservation of bilateral ovaries. Detecting the whirlpool sign when ovarian torsion is suspected is useful, especially in pregnant women.
