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Background: Objective evidence is lacking as to the benefit of the addition of 3D vision to conventional laparoscopy in Gynecologic surgery. This study aims to compare 3-D visual system to traditional 2-D laparoscopic visualization for the laparoscopic closure of the vaginal cuff during total laparoscopic hysterectomy by surgeons-in-training [defined as senior OBGYN resident or Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) fellow]., Methods: 51 patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy at two tertiary care academic hospitals were randomized to two-dimensional or three-dimensional vision system with cuff closure performed by surgeons-in-training. The primary outcome was the time taken for vaginal cuff closure. Secondary outcomes included peri-operative outcomes and assessment of surgeon's perception of ease of cuff closure., Results: 27 (52.9%) cases were allocated to cuff closure with the 2D system and 24 (47.1%) cases to closure with the 3D vision system. Patient baseline characteristics were similar between the vision systems. Mean vaginal cuff closure time was not significantly different between 2D and 3D vision (10.1 min for 2D versus 12 min for 3D, p = 0.31). An additional 24 s was added to cuff closure time with each 1 kg/m 2 increase in BMI, after controlling for potential confounders (p = 0.003). There was no difference in the surgeon rating of ease of cuff closure between 2D and 3D. Peri-operative outcomes are similar among the two groups., Conclusion: We did not demonstrate any benefits of 3D vision system over conventional 2D for the task of laparoscopic vaginal cuff suturing performed by surgeons-in-training. RCT Registration Number NCT02192606 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02192606 (July 17, 2014).

Objective: The aim of this study was to design and validate a new assessment tool for laparoscopic vaginal cuff suturing in a box trainer., Design: A primary grading tool was constructed including a novel checklist component and a previously validated global rating scale. A four-step validation process was then undertaken. Face validity was determined by a survey of a panel of experts in the field of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Content validity was assessed via analysis of consistency and variability of the experts' ratings, and items were removed or rephrased according to the experts' comments., Participants: Overall, five novices and five expert laparoscopic surgeons were videotaped performing suture closure of a latex vaginal cuff model in a box trainer. The videotapes were reviewed by two raters. Discriminate validity, along with interrater and intrarater reliabilities, was assessed by analysis of the video ratings., Setting: The Simulation, Training, Research, and Technology Utilization System center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a tertiary medical center in Boston, MA., Results: The final assessment tool is presented., Conclusion: We have validated an assessment tool for vaginal cuff suturing in a box trainer., (Copyright © 2014 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To compare perioperative outcomes, particularly operative time, between uncontained and in-bag power morcellation of uterine tissue at the time of laparoscopic surgery., Design: Canadian Task Force classification II-3., Setting: Academic tertiary care hospitals., Patients: Women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy or myomectomy who required morcellation of uterine tissue for specimen extraction., Interventions: Outcomes among patients who had in-bag power morcellation were compared with outcomes among patients who had traditional power morcellation. The technique for in-bag morcellation entails placing the specimen into a large containment bag within the abdomen, insufflating the bag within the peritoneal cavity, and then using a power morcellator to remove the specimen from inside the bag., Measurements and Main Results: The cohort consisted of 85 consecutive patients who underwent surgery with morcellation of uterine tissue. Prospective data collected from 36 patients who underwent in-bag morcellation were compared with retrospective data collected from the immediately preceding 49 patients who had uncontained power morcellation. Baseline demographics were comparable between the 2 groups although women who underwent in-bag morcellation were on average older than the open morcellation group (mean age in years [standard deviation], 49.19 [1.12] vs 44.06 [8.93]; p = .01). The mean operating room time was longer in the in-bag morcellation group (mean time in minutes [standard deviation], 119.0 [55.91] vs 93.13 [44.90]; p = .02). The estimated blood loss, specimen weight, hospital length of stay, and perioperative complication rate did not vary between the 2 groups. Operative times did not vary significantly by surgeon. There were no cases of malignancy or isolation bag disruption., Conclusions: In-bag power morcellation, a tissue extraction technique developed to reduce the risk of tissue dissemination, results in perioperative outcomes comparable with the traditional laparoscopic approach. In this cohort, the mean operative time was prolonged by 26 minutes with in-bag morcellation but may potentially be reduced with further refinement of the technique., (Copyright © 2015 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To compare differences in trends in reported surgical experience of residents in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States insofar as abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic hysterectomy., Design: Retrospective analysis of the national case log reports from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for obstetrics and gynecology cases logged as "surgeon" from 2002 to 2012 (Canadian Task Force classification III)., Setting: AGCME-accredited residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology., Participants: Eleven thousand five hundred and eight graduating residents in obstetrics and gynecology (n = 11 508)., Measurements and Main Results: Since 2008, when the ACGME began reporting the 4-year cumulative hysterectomy case load statistics for graduating residents in obstetrics and gynecology, there has been no significant change in the mean (SD) number of hysterectomies performed by residents from 118.1 (38.0) cases in 2008-2009 to 116.1 (31.0) cases in 2011-2012 (p = .16; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.78 to 4.78). During the past decade, however, the total number of reported abdominal hysterectomies consistently decreased from 89.1 (34.2) cases in 2002-2003 to 59.1 (21.0) cases in 2011-2012 (28% decrease; p <.001; 95% CI, 27.7-32.3). The number of vaginal hysterectomies also trended down from 34.9 (19.2) cases to 19.4 (9.0) cases (40% decrease; p <.001; 95% CI, 14.3-16.7). The ACGME did not report the number of laparoscopic hysterectomies performed by residents until 2008-2009, when residents reported performing 23.4 (17.0) cases. From 2008 to 2012, this number increased to 38.5 (20.0) cases (72% increase; p <.001; 95% CI, 13.6-16.6). The proportion of reported laparoscopic hysterectomies performed with robotic assistance was not separately reported., Conclusions: Although the overall number of hysterectomies reported by residents has remained stable since 2008, the predominant modes of hysterectomy during the past decade have changed substantially, with laparoscopic hysterectomy comprising an increasingly large proportion of resident experience. As laparoscopic hysterectomy has become more common, reported cases of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies have decreased. Additional statistics on the percentage of laparoscopic hysterectomies performed using robotic assistance would be valuable to additionally analyze the effect of this new technology on resident training., (Copyright © 2014 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To evaluate the adverse events encountered during robotic gynecologic surgery, as reported to the FDA MAUDE database from January 2006 to December 2012., Design: Database search (Canadian Task Force classification III)., Intervention: A search of the FDA MAUDE database was performed by brand name "da Vinci" and manufacturer "Intuitive Surgical." Reports reflecting gynecologic procedures either by description or procedure name were included. A record of reports was kept to ensure that no duplicates were added. The date and type of event (operator-related error, technical system failure, or surgical injuries attributed to use of the robot) and the clinical outcome were recorded., Measurements and Main Results: Twenty-six percent of reported events (n = 73) resulted in injury, and 8.5% (n = 24) resulted in death. Of note, although adnexal procedures were performed in <3% of the cohort, they accounted for 20% of the fatalities. Twenty-one percent of injuries were attributed to operator-related error, and 14% to technical system failure; 65% were not directly related to use of the robot. Fifteen deaths were reported during planned hysterectomy. Four of those were due to injury to a major blood vessel (iliac artery in 3, and aorta in 1), although a detailed description of how the injury occurred was absent from the event description., Conclusion: It is important to continue to evaluate the occurrence of injuries during robot-assisted surgery in an effort to identify unique challenges associated with this advanced technology., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Standard sutures used in vaginal cuff reapproximation in total laparoscopic hysterectomies and hysterotomy closure in myomectomies require knot placement and tensioning of the suture throughout the closure. This may contribute to wound dehiscence, increased blood loss, and ischemia of tissue surrounding the knots. In 2004, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the Quill™ bidirectional barbed suture (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada)(Fig. 1). In January 2007, the suture was introduced in the United States. The emergence of the bidirectional barbed suture has significantly affected minimally invasive surgery. Initially used by orthopaedic and plastic surgeons, barbed suture has allowed for the tedious task of knot tying to fade away. Following the introduction of the bidirectional barbed suture, the FDA approved the V-Loc™ unidirectional suture (Covidien, Mansfield, MA)(Fig. 2). The utility of the barbed suture has been instrumental in laparoscopic myomectomy and total laparoscopic hysterectomy. As barbed suture is easily utilized using the same laparoscopic ports, needle drivers, and graspers, the surgeon does not require a third hand to facilitate laparoscopic suturing. The barbs minimize tissue recoil and do so with accurate soft tissue approximation, achieving hemostasis without the use of locking and figure eight sutures. Barbed suture allows for a shorter operative time, as there is an ease of suturing without the complication of knot tying. Barbed sutures are essential tools in the modern laparoscopist's toolbox.

The introduction of laparoscopy to gynecologic surgery has allowed for both innovative advancements and new challenges in the field. As the complexity of laparoscopically approached gynecologic cases continues to increase, it is imperative for surgeons to be aware of the risk of ureteral injury. Although rare, ureteral complications with gynecologic surgery may be quite morbid; therefore, knowledge about their prevention, diagnosis, and management is of the utmost importance.