The incidence of urinary tract injury during hysterectomy: a prospective analysis based on universal cystoscopy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of urinary tract injury due to hysterectomy for benign disease. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were enrolled prospectively from 3 sites. All patients undergoing abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease underwent diagnostic cystourethroscopy. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-one patients participated. Ninety-six percent (24/25) of urinary tract injuries were detected intraoperatively. There were 8 cases of ureteral injury (1.7%) and 17 cases of bladder injury (3.6%). Ureteral injury was associated with concurrent prolapse surgery (7.3% vs 1.2%; P = .025). Bladder injury was associated with concurrent anti-incontinence procedures (12.5% vs 3.1%; P = .049). Abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a higher incidence of ureteral injury (2.2% vs 1.2%) but this was not significant. Only 12.5% of ureteral injuries and 35.3% of bladder injuries were detected before cystoscopy. CONCLUSION: The incidence of urinary tract injury during hysterectomy is 4.8%. Surgery for prolapse or incontinence increases the risk. Routine use of cystoscopy during hysterectomy should be considered.     

A review of laparoscopic ureteral injury in pelvic surgery

The objective of this study was to review the body of literature in reference to ureteral injury during laparoscopic surgeries and to determine: 1) the reported rates of ureteral injury; 2) the initial laparoscopic surgeries during which ureteral injury occurred; 3) the time of injury recognition (intra- versus postoperative); 4) the type, 5) the location, and 6) the mode of injury repair; and 7) the surgical laparoscopic instruments involved in ureteral injury.The appropriate medical subject heading (MSH) terms were selected and used in a search of the Medline computerized database and the online American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists database. World literature published in the English language on ureteral injury during laparoscopic surgery between 1966 and 2003 was reviewed.A total of 70 reported instances of ureteral injury during laparoscopic surgery were identified among 2491 reported cases in which ureteral laparoscopic complications were discussed. Incidences of injury ranged from <1% to 2%. These 2491 cases of laparoscopy were presented as a mixed group, which included case reports, small series of studies, as well as longer, consecutive studies. In 18 of the 70 (25.7%) cases, the initial laparoscopic procedures during which ureteral injury occurred were not described or specified. In cases in which the type of laparoscopic surgery was specified, 14 of the 70 (20.0%) total cases of ureteral injury occurred during laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). Ureteral injury was identified intraoperatively in 6 of 70 (8.6%) cases, postoperatively in 49 of 70 (70.0%) cases, and, in 15 of 70 (21.4%) cases, the time of diagnosis was not specified. In 36 of the 70 (51.4%) reported injuries, the type of injury was not specified or described. In instances in which the types of injury were described, transection occurred most commonly, accounting for 14 of 70 (20.0%) injuries. The location of ureteral injury was not specified in 46 of the 70 (65.7%) cases. When location was specified, injuries most often occurred at or above the pelvic brim, accounting for 10 of the total 70 (14.3%). Electrocautery was involved in 17 of the 70 (24.3%) cases of ureteral injury, but in 34 of the 70 (48.6%) cases, the surgical laparoscopic instrument involved was not reported. A laparotomy was used to repair the ureteral injury in 43 of 70 (61.4%) cases.Ureteral injuries reported in peer-reviewed journals often lack detailed presentation of the initial laparoscopic surgeries during which ureteral injury occurred, or of the type, the location, and the instrumentation involved in ureteral injury. A high incidence of ureteral injury was found among the laparoscopic procedures analyzed in this review. Laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy was the leading procedure in which injury occurred, and instruments involved in electrocoagulation were associated with the most injuries incurred during laparoscopic surgery.     

Ureteral injury in gynecologic surgery: A ten-year review in a community hospital

Objective: Our purpose was to review and analyze ureteral injuries incidental to gynecologic surgery in a community hospital.Study design: During the study period from Jan. 1, 1983, through Dec. 31, 1992, all patient records in which ureteral injury resulted from gynecologic surgery were reviewed. The operative procedure, pathologic result, location of injury, and type of repair were studied. Additionally, the time of recognition and diagnostic methods in these ureteral injuries were analyzed.Results: Nineteen ureteral injuries were incurred during the performance of 4665 gynecologic surgical procedures, an incidence of 0.4%. Patients ranged in age from 23 to 70 years. Recognition of the ureteral injury occurred intraoperatively in 10 patients and was delayed from 1 to 16 days in 9 patients. Six of the ureteral injuries were repaied by end-to-end anastomosis, 3 by deligation, and 10 by ureteroneocystostomy. Immediate postoperative urinary integrity was found in all patients.Conclusion: Gynecologic surgical procedures in this study resulted in a 0.4% incidence of ureteral injury, and repair of these injuries was successful in all cases for the short term. 1995; 172:1817–1822.)     

Operative injuries during vaginal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate incidence, characteristics and consequences of urinary and intestinal tract injuries during vaginal hysterectomy for benign conditions. STUDY DESIGN: From January 1970 to December 1996, 3076 vaginal hysterectomies with or without additional procedures, were performed for benign conditions in our department. We retrospectively analyzed operative injury cases. RESULTS: Incidence of urinary and intestinal tract injuries were 1.7 and 0.5%, respectively. Concerning urinary tract injuries, we observed only one ureteral lesion, all others being bladder lacerations (54 cases). The bladder lacerations occured during the hysterectomy step of the surgery in 61% of cases and during the additional procedures in 39%. All bladder injuries were recognized and treated during the primary operation. We observed four cases of vesico-vaginal fistula as a consequence of these injuries; all fistulas occured after bladder laceration during the hysterectomy step of the surgical procedure. Intestinal tract injuries (16 cases) were rectal lacerations occuring during the hysterectomy step of the surgery (31% of cases) and during the additional procedures (69%). All rectal injuries were recognized and repaired during the primary operation and all healed without sequellae. CONCLUSION: Operative injuries during vaginal hysterectomy are relatively rare. They are easily recognized and treated during the primary operation without important sequellae.     

Ureteral catheter placement for prevention of ureteral injury during laparoscopic hysterectomy

AIM: Ureteral injury is among the most devastating complications of gynecologic surgery. Estimated incidence of ureteral injury during laparoscopic hysterectomy is 2.6-35 times (0.2-6.0%) that in abdominal hysterectomy. We investigated preoperative ureteral catheter (UC) placement as a way to prevent ureteral injury in laparoscopic hysterectomy. METHODS: Clinical records of 94 women who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy between February 2006 and January 2007 in Yazaki Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan, were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-four patients between February and June 2006 underwent the surgery without ureteral catheterization and 60 patients between July 2006 and January 2007 underwent surgery with ureteral catheterization. Clinical outcomes were statistically compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The average time required for catheter insertion was 9.35 min. The ureter in which the catheter was placed was visualized clearly. In one patient, whose left ureter was deviated by a massive myoma, catheter insertion was not possible. No complications arose from catheter placement except for minor complaints including low back pain, urinary discomfort, and transient hematuria. While one injury occurred in a patient without ureteral catheterization (1/34), no ureteral injury occurred in any patient with ureteral catheterization (0/60). Operative time, total blood loss, and hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: UC placement is simple, helping to prevent ureteral injury during laparoscopic hysterectomy and enhancing safety of this procedure.     

妇科腹腔镜手术中输尿管损伤的临床特点及处理

目的探讨妇科腹腔镜手术中输尿管损伤的主要原因及诊断、治疗和预防的方法。方法回顾性分析我院13年间,妇科腹腔镜手术中发生输尿管损伤患者的临床资料、疾病类型、盆腔情况、手术类型、损伤特点、诊治情况及预后。结果．5541例妇科腹腔镜手术中,共发生输尿管损伤8例,发生率为0．14％,其中腹腔镜辅助阴式子宫切除术(LAVH)发生输尿管损伤6例,腹腔镜下全子宫切除术(TLH)1例,盆腔侧壁粘连松解手术1例。主要妇科疾病为：子宫腺肌症、子宫内膜异位症、子宫肌瘤;8例均有盆腔粘连,4例有盆腹腔手术史,7例子宫手术者,子宫均有增大(6～10周)。输卵管损伤症状出现于术后0～13d,包括：引流量增多、腹痛或腹胀、腰疼、恶心呕吐、发热、尿量减少、阴道流水、腹部皮下水肿、腹膜炎等。诊断时间在术后0～17d,主要确诊方法为静脉肾盂造影。损伤位于输尿管下段6例,入盆腔段2例。2例早期发现者均行开腹手术修补,晚期发现者,2例输尿管置管成功,3例置管当时失败,1例置管后又出现尿瘘行开腹修补。预后均较好。结论输尿管损伤是妇科腹腔镜手术少见而严重的并发症。术后引流量的异常增多以及出现发热、腰腹痛、急腹症、阴道流水等症状时,应警惕输尿管损伤的可能。治疗以手术为主。     

Major complications of laparoscopy: a follow-up Finnish study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine recent figures on major laparoscopic complications in Finland. METHODS: This was a nationwide record-linkage study from January 1995 through December 1996 including all Finnish hospitals performing gynecologic laparoscopies. Data files of the National Patient Insurance Association and the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register were used. Data were compared with previous results from 1990 to 1994. RESULTS: Among 32,205 gynecologic laparoscopies, 130 major complications were noted. The total complication rate was 4.0 per 1000 procedures: 0.6 per 1000 in diagnostic laparoscopies, 0.5 per 1000 in sterilization, and 12.6 per 1000 in operative laparoscopies. Intestinal injuries were reported in 0.7 per 1000, incisional hernias in 0.3 per 1000, urinary tract injuries in 2.5 per 1000, major vascular injuries in 0.1 per 1000, and other injuries in 0.5 per 1000 gynecologic laparoscopic procedures. Seventy-five percent (88 of 118) of the major complications in operative laparoscopies occurred during hysterectomies. The total major complication rate decreased from 4.9% in 1993 to 2.3% in 1996 (chi2 = 8.55, P = .003), but the incidence of ureteral injuries remained stable, at about 1% of laparoscopic hysterectomies. Ureteral injuries were most common in local hospitals (2.6%), followed by central (1.1%) and university hospitals (0.9%). From 1990 through 1996, the relative risk for ureteral injury in laparoscopic hysterectomies, compared with other operative laparoscopies was 29.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.3, 63.0), for bladder injury 13.0 (95% CI 6.0, 28.2), for intestinal injury 1.3 (95% CI 0.6, 2.5), and for major vascular injury 0.4 (95% CI 0.1, 3.6). Compared with the figures for 1990-1994, all major complications in operative laparoscopies increased, from 0 per 1000 in 1990 to 14.0 per 1000 in 1996 (chi2 = 20.28, P<.001), but part of this increase was due to the increased proportion of laparoscopic hysterectomies. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic hysterectomies are still associated with a stable 1% risk of ureteral injury, whereas other major complications were decreasing until 1996. Complications in other laparoscopic procedures generally are rare.     

Vesicoureteral Injury during Benign Hysterectomy: Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery versus Laparotomy

Study ObjectiveThe findings of previous studies have been inconsistent as to whether benign hysterectomy via minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery increases the risk of vesicoureteral injury when compared with laparotomy. The objectives of our study were to (1) examine the rate of vesicoureteral injury on benign hysterectomy by the surgical approach and (2) compare the risk of vesicoureteral injury specifically between minimally invasive laparoscopic and abdominal hysterectomy on a populational level.DesignRetrospective population-based observational study.SettingThe National Inpatient Sample.PatientsA total of 501 110 women who had undergone hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease between January 2012 and September 2015 were included as follows: total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH, n = 284 365 [56.7%]), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH, n = 60 410 [12.1%]), abdominal supracervical hysterectomy (Abd-SCH, n = 55 655 [11.1%]), laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH, n = 45 620 [9.1%]), total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH, n = 34 865 [7.0%]), and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSC-SCH, n = 20 195 [4.0%]).InterventionsA comprehensive risk assessment for vesicoureteral injury by hysterectomy mode was performed, adjusting for patient demographics and gynecologic disease types. Propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighing was used to compare (1) TLH versus TAH and (2) LSC-SCH versus Abd-SCH with generalized estimating equations. In a sensitivity analysis, gynecologic disease−specific injury risk and vaginal route−specific injury risk (LAVH vs TVH) were assessed.Measurements and Main ResultsVesicoureteral injury was reported in 1045 (0.21%) women overall. LAVH (0.28%) had the highest bladder injury rate, whereas LSC-SCH had the lowest (0.10%) (p <.001). TLH (0.13%) had the highest ureteral injury rate, whereas TAH had the lowest (0.04%) (p <.001). In propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighing models, compared with TAH, TLH was associated with an increased risk of ureteral injury (odds ratio [OR] 3.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03−7.67, p <.001) but not bladder injury (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.57−1.90, p = .897). Risk of ureteral injury was particularly high when TLH was performed for endometriosis (OR 6.15, 95% CI 1.18−31.9, p = .031) or for uterine myoma (OR 4.15, 95% CI 2.13−8.11, p <.001). In contrast, for supracervical or vaginal hysterectomy, minimally invasive laparoscopic approaches were not associated with an increased risk of vesicoureteral injury (LSC-SCH vs Abd-SCH: OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.19−1.98, p = .419; LAVH vs TVH: OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.63−2.33, p = .564).ConclusionThe risk of vesicoureteral injury on benign hysterectomy is low overall regardless of hysterotomy modalities but varies widely with the surgical approach. Compared with TAH, TLH may be associated with an increased risk of ureteral injury.     

Urinary tract injury in laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of urinary tract injury after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). DESIGN: A retrospective study that evaluated all cases of urinary tract injury at the time of LAVH in an 11-year period. Parameters including surgical indication, site of injury, time of diagnosis, method of treatment, and long-term follow-up were analyzed. (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 38 urinary tract injuries were found in 7725 LAVH. INTERVENTION: LAVH and repair of urinary tract injuries with transvaginal or transabdominal approach. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of urinary tract injury after LAVH was 4.9/1000 procedures: 3.9/1000 for urinary bladder injury and 1.0/1000 for ureteral injury. Prior cesarean section was the most common risk factor for bladder injuries. Ninety-six percent (29/30) of urinary bladder injuries were detected and treated during surgery. Half (4/8, 50%) of the ureteral injuries were identified during surgery. Of the 38 complications, 28 (75.7%) occurred in surgery. CONCLUSION: Most urinary tract injuries in LAVH were identified during surgery and are associated with the surgeon's experience. Bladder injury can be repaired either transvaginally or abdominally; ureteral injury can be repaired abdominally.     

Very Low Rates of Ureteral Injury in Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Performed by Fellowship-trained Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeons

Study ObjectiveThe objective of this case series is to evaluate the rates of ureteral injury at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy among high-volume fellowship-trained surgeons.DesignA retrospective chart review was performed, evaluating laparoscopic hysterectomy cases between 2009 and 2019 performed exclusively by fellowship-trained surgeons.SettingDivision of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital in Boston.PatientsAll patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy by one of 5 surgeons with fellowship training in MIGS.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsA total of 5160 cases were handled by MIGS surgeons between 2009 and 2019 at our institution. Of these cases, 2345 were laparoscopic hysterectomy cases with available intraoperative and postoperative documentation. Most patients had undergone previous surgeries, and the most common indications for hysterectomy included uterine myomas, pelvic pain/endometriosis, and abnormal uterine bleeding. At the time of hysterectomy, 1 ureteral injury (0.04%) was noted. No additional delayed ureteral injuries were observed. Most patients were discharged home the same day (64.9%) and did not have any postoperative complications (63.9%) as designated by the Clavien-Dindo classification.ConclusionUreteral injury, although rare, is more prevalent in gynecologic surgery than in other surgical disciplines that have some focus on the pelvis. No study to date has evaluated the effect of surgical training and volume on rates of ureteral injuries. This study retrospectively examined ureteral injury rates for one group of high-volume fellowship-trained surgeons and found their rates to be lower than the national average. Proposals are presented for optimizing training and delivery of gynecologic surgical care to minimize complications.     

妇科良性疾病全子宫切除术副损伤的临床分析

目的 探讨因妇科良性疾病行全子宫切除术中副损伤发生的原因及处理。方法 回顾性分析1981年1月1日～2000年12月31日期间我院妇科3557例全子宫切除术中11例副损伤的发生及治疗情况。结果 子宫全切术副损伤的发生率经腹为0.28％(9/3268),经阴道为0.7％(2/289)。包括膀胱损伤7例,直肠损伤2例,输尿管损伤2例。发生副损伤的病例多见于子宫前壁峡部大肌瘤、剖宫产手术史、重度子宫内膜异位症和经阴道子宫全切的手术中。8例于术中发现同时行修补术;痊愈时间平均16.5 d;3例术后发现经再次手术,痊愈时间分别为45 d、50 d和10个月。结论副损伤是子宫全切术的并发症,与手术难度有关,及时发现和修补损伤极为重要。     

Litigation following Ureteral Injuries associated with Gynaecological Surgery

Ureteral injury is one of the complications inherent in any gynaecological pelvic surgery. From the beginning of this century, the range of ureteral injuries during standard gynaecological surgery has been reported to be between 0.04 and 1.46 percent, with a mean of 0.21 percent (234 injuries in 110,351 operations, 1902–1998). The mean ureteral complication rate is essentially the same for the three kinds of hysterectomies performed by most gynaecologists (laparascopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy [LAVH]-0.42%, total abdominal hysteroctomy [TAH]-0.18%, vaginal hysterectomy [VH]-0.25%). Ureteral injuries occur across the range of pathological conditions, operators and operative techniques which suggest that there is a critical incidence of ureteral injury below which gynaecological surgery has not been able to fall (in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 percent). This may be because the exact position of the ureter is not constant. The course of the ureter as it crosses beneath the uterine artery, as close as one to two cm from the lateral aspect of the uterus, is such that the margin for error is very small.In this report, we summarize the circumstances, allegations and conclusions of 13 Canadian resolved cases of litigated ureteral injuries sustained during gynaecological surgery. By reviewing these cases, surgeons may familiarize themselves with the most frequent allegations brought by plaintiffs, and the questions and principles that judges apply in reaching their conclusions. In all 13 cases, the allegation of informed consent failed as a reasonable person would have agreed to surgery under the conditions, even if the risk of ureteral injury had been disclosed. Furthermore, the risk of ureteral injury does not have to be disclosed because it is a known complication with a frequency of occurrence of less than 0.5 percent and it is not considered a material risk. The use of a pre-operative IVP, ureteral stenting or intra-operative dyes is of little value in preventing ureteral injuries. In nine of the 13 cases (70%) the judge ruled in favour of the defendant.The cardinal rules in the management of ureteral injuries during gynaecological surgery are prevention, identification of the injury intra-operatively and a high index of suspicion postoperatively.     

Adhesion-related bowel obstruction after hysterectomy for benign conditions

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence of small bowel obstruction after hysterectomy. METHODS: Analysis of 326 cases of women who were admitted with a diagnosis of small bowel obstruction during the period 1998-2005. Among cases with small bowel obstruction after hysterectomy for benign conditions, we evaluated the type and technique of hysterectomy and whether the parietal peritoneum was sutured at the completion of the procedure. RESULTS: The main causes of bowel obstruction were intra-abdominal adhesions (41.9%) and abdominal malignancy (40.1%). After excluding oncologic cases, we found that, of 135 cases of adhesion-related small bowel obstruction, gynecologic operations played the largest role in the occurrence of bowel obstruction (n=68, 50.4%). Among all gynecologic operations for benign conditions, total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) was the most common cause of small bowel obstruction (13.6 per 1,000 TAHs). We did not encounter small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. The reduction in absolute risk of small bowel obstruction from TAH to laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is 13.6 per 1,000 cases; 73 patients would undergo laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy to prevent one small bowel obstruction. The median interval between TAH and small bowel obstruction was 4 years. The adhesions were adherent to the previous laparotomy incision in 27 cases (75%) and to the vaginal vault in nine cases (25%). Peritoneal closure was not associated with small bowel obstruction. CONCLUSION: Hysterectomy plays a major role in the occurrence of adhesion-related small bowel obstruction. Closure of the parietal peritoneum does not contribute to the occurrence of adhesion-related small bowel obstruction, and small bowel obstruction rarely occurs after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3.     

The detection of ureteral injuries after hysterectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify the incidence and outcomes of ureteral injuries in patients undergoing hysterectomy, and to evaluate the effect of intraoperative cystoscopy and early postoperative ureteral jet ultrasonography. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary medical center. PATIENTS: Fifteen patients who experienced ureteral injuries while undergoing hysterectomy out of 4950 total patients during a 6-year period. INTERVENTIONS: All patients underwent hysterectomy, and intraoperative cystoscopy or early postoperative ureteral jet ultrasonography were used to evaluate ureteral integrity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The incidence of ureteral injury recognized after hysterectomy was 0.32%, and all ureteral injuries occurred during laparoscopic hysterectomy. The initial detection of ureteral injury resulted from intraoperative cystoscopy in five patients, early postoperative ureteral jet ultrasonography in two patients, and signs and symptoms in eight patients. The patients whose injuries were detected by either intraoperative cystoscopy or early postoperative ureteral jet ultrasonography were diagnosed earlier (1.7 and 19.9 postoperative days, respectively; p<.01) and tended toward more conservative treatment (p=.119; OR=10; 95% CI 0.78-128.78) than those who were diagnosed based on signs and symptoms alone. CONCLUSIONS: Use of intraoperative cystoscopy or early postoperative ureteral jet ultrasonography leads to earlier diagnosis of posthysterectomy ureteral injury, thereby allowing for more conservative treatment.     

Urological injuries during hysterectomies: a 6-year review

AIM: Urological injuries that occur during hysterectomy are a rare but important cause of morbidity. An understanding of the risk factors can help us to reduce their incidence and studying their management and outcome could help us to evolve optimal management strategies. The aim of the present study was to examine the incidence of urological injuries that occur during hysterectomy and to determine the risk factors, management and outcome of such injuries. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of cases of urological injuries sustained during hysterectomies carried out from June 1996 until May 2002, at our institution. The chi-squared test was applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The overall incidence of urological injuries was 0.40% (0.28% bladder and 0.12% ureteral). No ureteral injuries occurred during vaginal surgery. The incidence of bladder injury was significantly higher in non-descent vaginal hysterectomies compared with abdominal hysterectomies or vaginal hysterectomies for genital prolapse (P<0.05). Hysterectomy for ovarian malignancies had a significantly higher risk for bladder injuries compared with other indications. Bladder injuries detected during vaginal hysterectomies could be managed through the vaginal route. All the repairs healed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy and hysterectomy for ovarian malignancies have a higher risk of bladder injury. Urological injuries during hysterectomy are uncommon. Early detection and appropriate management ensure successful healing and minimal long-term sequelae.     

Audit of morbidity and mortality rates of 1792 hysterectomies

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To audit morbidity and mortality rates of laparoscopic, abdominal, and vaginal hysterectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective review of monthly morbidity and mortality rates (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: One thousand seven hundred ninety-two women who underwent hysterectomy for benign, nonobstetric indications at the Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic supracervical (LASH), vaginal (VH), and abdominal (AH) hysterectomies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity outcomes of different types of hysterectomy. Reoperation, admission to the intensive care unit, discordant diagnosis, and prolonged hospitalization also were evaluated. RESULTS: We studied 223 cases of LASH, 1349 AH, and 220 VH. The overall hysterectomy-related morbidity rate was 6.1%. The rate of morbidity was higher in the LASH group (9.4%) than in the AH group (5.2%, p <.01), but no significant difference was noted between AH and VH (8.6%). The incidence of intraoperative bowel injury was 0.4% in the LASH group (a trocar injury in a patient) and 0.3% in the AH group. Bladder injury was encountered in two patients in the LASH group (0.9%) and in another two in the AH group (0.1%). Ureteral injury occurred in a patient in the AH group (0.07%). There were no cases of intraoperative vascular injury. Vaginal hysterectomy was associated with more urinary retention and hematoma formation than the other two groups. Discordant diagnosis was noted in four cases (two missed endometrial cancer, atonic and distended bladder mistaken for an ovarian cyst, and pelvic tuberculosis). The conversion rate to laparotomy was 1.7% in the LASH group and 0.4% in the VH group, and the incidence of reoperation was 0.4% in the AH group. CONCLUSIONS: The overall hysterectomy-related morbidity rate in our series is 6.1%. Compared with other types of hysterectomy, more urinary retention and hematoma formation occur after VH. Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is associated with a higher morbidity rate than AH; mainly because of conversion to laparotomy and blood transfusion.     

改良腹腔镜筋膜内子宫切除术68例分析

目的:探讨改良腹腔镜筋膜内子宫切除术(ICISH)的临床效果。方法:对我院2002.01-2006.03间行ICISH的68例和传统腹腔镜筋膜内子宫切除术(CISH)96例的临床资料进行回顾分析,比较2种术式的手术时间、术中出血量、住院天数、术后阴道出血、宫颈囊肿等情况。结果:2种术式的手术时间和住院天数无差异,ICISH术出院后有4.4%的患者(3例)阴道出血,比CISH的10.2%(10例)少(χ2=9.27,P=0.004);ICISH后宫颈囊肿发生率为0,比CISH的4.1%(4例)少(χ2=8.32,P=0.010);但ICISH术中出血量(41.5±7.7ml)略多于CISH(35.2±8.5ml)(t=-4.93,P=0.046)。结论:ICISH和CISH均具有创伤小、腹腔内干扰小、恢复快等优点,效果肯定;且ICISH比CISH并发症少。     

Litigations Involving Ureteral Injury Related to Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery: Lessons Learned from a Legal Literature Review

Ureteral injury is a known complication of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Despite being discussed preoperatively and included in consent forms, litigations that involve such injury continue to be prevalent. Our aim was to review all major litigations involving ureteral injuries related to minimally invasive gynecologic surgery to determine the most common allegations from plaintiffs and highlight factors that aided defendants. We used Lexis Nexis, a comprehensive legal database, to search all publicly available federal- and state-level cases on ureteral injury related to gynecologic surgeries. Fifty-nine cases resulted from our search. Of these cases, 19 were deemed pertinent to our question. These 19 cases occurred between 1993 and 2018. The most common allegations included medical negligence, lack of informed consent, and medical battery. Eight of 19 cases (42%) were decided in favor of the defendants, 3 of 19 cases (16%) in favor of the plaintiffs, and the remaining cases proceeded to further trial or are ongoing. The monetary compensation to a plaintiff was as high as $426,079.50. Meticulous documentation, comprehensive consent procedure, timely postoperative evaluation, and the use of immediate postoperative cystoscopy were the critical factors that aided the defendants. Meticulous documentation, a comprehensive consent procedure, timely postoperative evaluation, and the use of immediate postoperative cystoscopy can aid minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons involved in litigations involving ureteral injury.     

Injury to the ureter during gynecologic surgical procedures

This retrospective study examined ureteral injuries during gynecologic operations from January 1980 to August 1985. The study was conducted at two private hospitals that are involved in resident teaching programs. Each patient was reviewed for predisposing factors, location and type of injury and time and method of recognition. Sixteen injuries were documented in 1,093 extensive procedures. Twelve injuries occurred at the pelvic brim and four others occurred elsewhere in the pelvis. Risk factors included previous surgical procedures in the pelvis, endometriosis, ovarian neoplasm, pelvic adhesions, distorted anatomic features of the pelvis and repair of the bladder. The anatomic structure of the ureter is reviewed, and recommendations are made to help prevent ureteral injury during surgical procedures in the pelvis.     

What is the Learning Curve for Robotic Assisted Gynecologic Surgery?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the learning curve when using the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) in benign gynecologic cases by a team of 2 gynecologic laparoscopists. DESIGN: Retrospective case series (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: A private practice obstetrics/gynecology clinic. PATIENTS: Patients requiring major benign gynecologic surgery who were candidates for a laparoscopic approach. INTERVENTION: All patients who would have otherwise been offered a transabdominal or conventional laparoscopic procedure were offered the option of having their procedure performed laparoscopically with robotic assistance. Data that were collected included robot set-up times by the operative room staff, operative times for use of robot, total operative times, and perioperative outcome. We analyzed the learning curve defined as the number of cases required to stabilize operative time to perform the various procedures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients were treated over a 22-month period with the da Vinci Surgical System. Most procedures were hysterectomies, whereas other gynecologic procedures included supracervical hysterectomy, laparoscopic vaginal assisted hysterectomy, myomectomy, sacrocolpopexy, and oophorectomy. Total operative times for hysterectomies studied sequentially stabilized at approximately 95minutes after 50 cases. The decrease in robotic time did not depend on uterine size. The mean length of hospital stay was 24hours, and return to normal activities averaged 2.8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic assisted surgery is an enabling technology that allows gynecologic surgeons the ability to offer laparoscopic procedures to most of their patients. In the hands of surgeons with advanced laparoscopic skills, the learning curve to stabilize operative times for the various surgical procedures in women requiring benign gynecolologic interventions is 50 cases.