by Monica J. Smith New York—When minilaparoscopy debuted in the mid-1990s, it failed to gain ground largely due to limitations of the instruments, which lacked durability and insulation for electrocautery and had a tendency to bend under pressure. But recently, development of a new generation of 2- to 3-mm instruments has resurrected interest in the […]
SLS in the News
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By Alice Goodman NEW YORK – While some evidence in the surgical literature suggests that intraperitoneal bupivacaine reduces postoperative pain scores and narcotic use, a new randomized controlled trial shows no significant improvement in patients undergoing robot-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy. “Despite evidence of benefit in laparoscopic surgery, there does not appear to be a benefit […]
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By Alice Goodman NEW YORK – Virtual learning of laparoscopic surgical skills is now possible and appears to be as successful as direct mentoring through an in-person teaching course, according to a pilot study of 16 medical students and residents naive to laparoscopy. Suturing skills were equivalent in the group mentored directly, compared with those […]
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By Alice Goodman NEW YORK – Cryoablation of the endometrium is a safe and effective office-based procedure for the treatment of menorrhagia, resulting in few operative complications, according to a chart review of 100 consecutive cases over a 3-year period. “Abnormal uterine bleeding is the most common reason for referral to a gynecologist, and it […]
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By Alice Goodman NEW YORK – More than a year after the Food and Drug Administration first warned physicians and patients about the risks of disseminating unsuspected cancer with electric power morcellation, most minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons are not using the technology. But rather than convert to open laparotomy for fibroid removal, many surgeons are using […]
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By Alice Goodman NEW YORK – Uterine size does not appear to increase the risk of surgical complications in patients who undergo type VII total laparoscopic hysterectomy, but both uterine size and the number of prior pelvic surgeries increased surgical time in a linear manner, according to a retrospective case-control analysis. “There is insufficient evidence […]
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By Alice Goodman NEW YORK – Certification programs for minimally invasive surgery should be more rigorous and continuous, relying on simulation and other hands-on tests of skills, according to Dr. Larry R. Glazerman. Having rigorous certification could improve the uptake of minimally invasive techniques among patients and encourage insurers to pay for these procedures, he […]