Cross-linked sodium hyaluronate, an anti-adhesion barrier gel in gynaecological endoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: In the context of common adhesion prevention in laparotomic, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery this article details the effects of a cross-linked sodium hyaluronate anti-adhesion barrier gel. The observed adhesion score is expressed in the following three measurements: Severity, extent and incidents of adhesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a total of 85 patients treated by laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, a second look endoscopic procedure could be performed in 35 cases. RESULTS: Our preliminary, short evaluation of 35 patients submitted to a second look laparoscopy or hysteroscopy revealed the beneficial effect of the applied HYAcorp endo gel, showing only a minimal amount of adhesions at the second look observation. CONCLUSION: Cross-linked sodium hyaluronate is highly effective in the prevention of adhesions at laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery.

Imaging in gynecologic surgery.

The technical development of instruments for endoscopic surgery started in the field of gynecology. In the early 1970s, with the improvement of optics and instruments for laparoscopic surgery, gyne-endoscopic surgery developed and set milestones for all other surgical fields. However, the general surgeons propagated the advantages of 2D or 3D imaging surgery much better than the conservative gynecologists. Surgery on a 2D screen without direct vision is regarded as more advantageous than open surgery and has achieved wide acceptance. Several schools of gynecologic endoscopy in Europe (in Kiel, Giessen, Clermont Ferrand and Strasbourg) have set guidelines for gyne-endoscopic surgery. Our catalog of indications in the areas of gyne-endoscopic surgery, published in 2002, reveals the broad application of these techniques today. 3D vision, robotic instruments and systems, such as the da Vinci(®) Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (CA, USA), round up the picture of endoscopic surgery. The advantages of endoscopic surgery over open surgery (more precision, less trauma, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays and a faster recovery period) are becoming more accepted. The present healthcare systems and hospital administrations understand the challenges of imaging in surgery, particularly in endoscopic surgery.

Neurovascular bundle in fibroid pseudocapsule and its neuroendocrinologic implications.

The myoma pseudocapsule is a surgical-anatomical entity surrounding the fibroid that separates the myoma from normal uterine tissue. The myoma pseudocapsule has a delicate vascular network rich with neurotransmitters analogous to the neurovascular bundle surrounding the prostate. The pseudocapsule neurovascular bundle is extremely important during myomectomy to promote uterine myometrial healing and, consequently, for uterine reproductive function. New advancements in surgery, including the use of laparoscopic myomectomy by an intracapsular technique and magnification of the myoma pseudocapsule to enhance visualization are comparable to the dissection during a radical prostatectomy. Fibroid detachment occurring inside the pseudocapsule causes less bleeding, spares the neurovascular bundle and promotes better uterine healing. The maintenance of myometrial integrity after laparoscopic myomectomy maintains uterine function and therefore improves reproductive outcomes, including labor.