Robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy versus conventional total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare patient characteristics, operative variables, and outcomes of 24 patients who underwent robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) with 44 patients who underwent conventional TLH. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 44 patients with TLH and 24 patients with robotic TLH. RESULTS: Robotic TLH was associated with a shorter hospital stay (1.0 vs 1.4 days, P=0.011) and a significant decrease in narcotic use (1.2 vs 5.0 units, P=0.002). EBL and droP in hemoglobin were not significantly different. The operative time was significantly longer in patients undergoing robotic TLH (142.2 vs 122.1 minutes, P=0.027). However, only need for laparoscopic morcellation, BMI, and uterine weight, not robotic use, were independently associated with increased operative times. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic hysterectomy can be performed safely with comparable operative times to those of conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy. Postoperative measures were improved over measures for conventional laparoscopy.

Caseating granulomata caused by hemostatic agent posing as metastatic leiomyosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: As the number of minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures increases, hemostatic agents are becoming more popular as a means of achieving rapid hemostasis. CASE REPORT: The patient is a 61-year-old woman who underwent a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. FloSeal Hemostatic Matrix (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield Illinois) was used at the conclusion of the procedure. RESULTS: Pathology unexpectedly revealed high-grade leiomyosarcoma of the uterus. The patient then presented to our facility for consultation and was scheduled for robotic trachelectomy and lymphadenectomy. Laparoscopy revealed nodular lesions throughout the abdomen and pelvis. Biopsies were performed and the case aborted. Final pathology however showed caseating foreign body giant cell granulomata in all specimens. No malignancy was found. The patient then underwent exploratory laparotomy, trachelectomy, and a staging procedure. All pathology specimens and pelvic washings were negative for malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Use of gelatin-thrombin hemostatic agents may elicit a foreign body reaction leading to large giant cell granulomata. In this case, the presence of these granulomata mimicked metastatic disease.

Ischemic uterine rupture and hysterectomy 3 months after uterine artery embolization.

The exact frequency and extent of complications after uterine artery embolization (UAE) have yet to be documented in the literature. Ischemic necrosis and rupture of the uterus is a theoretical concern of this procedure. Rupture of the uterus from any cause is a very serious gynecologic complication requiring immediate surgical intervention to prevent death. Ischemic necrosis and rupture of the uterus can occur months after UAE. In our patient they occurred 3 months after UAE for treatment of symptomatic uterine myomas, and required hysterectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ischemic uterine rupture after UAE in the United States.