Digital recording of surgical procedures using a personal computer.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a system for recording surgical procedure digitally using a personal computer with real-time compression of the video signal. STUDY DESIGN: We built the system around a modern personal computer with a large hard disk to allow recording of over 250 h of continuous surgery. Digital capture from the camera was achieved using a standard external analogue-digital converter linked to the computer via a firewire cable. The software for capturing, compressing and editing movie files were obtained free of charge from the internet. The optimal settings for the software was determined. RESULTS: We have successfully used this system to record over 100 major and minor hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, vaginal and open gynaecological. Despite compression, the quality of the movies was judged to be very good and still images excellent. The recordings could be integrated in to standard presentation. Still pictures could be printed to provide hard copies for patients and medical notes, and movies burnt on to CDs or DVDs. CONCLUSIONS: A digital recording system built around a standard personal computer is relatively cheap, versatile and has a huge capacity to record surgical procedures.

Surgical and radiological management of uterine fibroids--a UK survey of current consultant practice.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the current surgical and radiological management of uterine fibroids by consultants working in the UK. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was posted to all 1439 UK consultants. Non-responders were sent one reminder. The main outcome measures were surgical route and technique used for myomectomy, and the use and availability of uterine artery embolization (UAE). RESULTS: Eight hundred fifty-two (59%) consultants replied. Seven hundred thirty-five (86%) admitted to regular sessions of gynecologic surgery, and 75% of this group performed open myomectomy, 16% laparoscopic myomectomy, and 66% hysteroscopic myomectomy. Open myomectomy: Forty-one percent of consultants performed open surgery on uteri equivalent to 12-week gestational age or less, 87% prescribed preoperative gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) in order to reduce surgical bleeding, with 35% using myomectomy clamps, 23% tourniquets, and 19% vasoconstrictors. Laparoscopic myomectomy: The largest uterine size the majority would attempt was equivalent to a 12-week gestation, 58.6% used preoperative GnRHa, 21% used intraoperative vasoconstrictors, and 1.4% tourniquets in order to minimize bleeding. Hysteroscopic myomectomy: As with laparoscopic myomectomy, the largest uterine size the majority would attempt was equivalent to a 12-week pregnancy. Blood transfusion: Twenty per cent, 10%, and 7% reported the need for blood transfusion in up to 10% of patients undergoing open, laparoscopic, or hysteroscopic myomectomy, respectively. UAE: Fifty-one percent have access to UAE and 40% have referred at least one patient in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: Open and hysteroscopic myomectomy are frequently utilized in contrast to laparoscopic myomectomy. The reported rate of blood transfusion appears low. Although UAE is widely available, the majority of patients are still managed surgically.

A new device for "no touch" biopsy at "no touch" hysteroscopy: the H Pipelle.

A new device for endometrial biopsy at "no touch" hysteroscopy has been developed based on the Pipelle. The modification (H Pipelle) facilitates endometrial sampling after hysteroscopy without the need to insert additional instruments into the vagina.

Intraperitoneal bupivacaine for the reduction of postoperative pain following operative laparoscopy: a pilot study and review of the literature.

This pilot case-control study was carried out to determine the value of intraperitoneal irrigation with a long-acting local anaesthetic agent in reducing postoperative analgesic requirements following gynaecological operative laparoscopy. Twenty women undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgery were recruited to receive dilute bupivacaine instilled into the peritoneal cavity at the completion of surgery. Analgesic requirements were assessed during the first 10 hours, and pain scores at 4 and 24 hours. Analgesic requirements were then compared with historical controls. Our results revealed that the total parenteral opioid requirement after bupivacaine was significantly less than in the control group (0.50 mg vs. 7.17 mg, P=0.006). Oral analgesic requirements were not significantly different between the two groups. Pain scores in the bupivacaine group showed no difference at 4 and 24 hours postoperatively. Intraperitoneal irrigation with dilute bupivacaine at the end of gynaecological laparoscopic surgery appears to reduce early postoperative analgesic requirements in this pilot study.

Chronic ectopic pregnancy diagnosed incidentally in an infertile woman: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Chronic ectopic pregnancy is an enigma. The clinical presentation can be mild, with absent or subtle symptoms. The high incidence of negative pregnancy tests and the poor specificity of sonographic patterns can be misleading, and the correct diagnosis is sometimes established only at surgery or even histopathologically after the operation. We report the first case of a woman who was accidentally diagnosed with chronic ectopic pregnancy during diagnostic laparoscopy performed as part of a routine investigation for primary infertility. CASE: A 28-year-old woman underwent laparoscopyfor infertility. She had a regular menstrual cycle and was asymptomatic. She gave a history of a possible but unconfirmed miscarriage earlier. Her hormone profile was normal apart from a slightly raised prolactin level. An earlier ultrasound showed a polycystic appearance of the ovaries. Laparoscopy was done on the 25th day of the menstrual cycle, and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin was negative. At laparoscopy, a 2-cm mass wasfound in the right fallopian tube. There was no free blood in the pelvis, and no adhesions. Both tubes were patent at hydrotubation. The mass was excised laparoscopically, and histology confirmed a diagnosis of chronic ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSION: A review of articles on chronic ectopic pregnancy confirmed the difficulty in diagnosing this condition preoperatively.