TITLE:
Anatomic Evaluation of Uterosacral and Cardinal Ligament during Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
AUTHORS:
Hugo H Davila, Renzo Di Natale, Lindsey Bruce, Lindsey Goodman, Taryn Gallo
KEYWORDS:
Apical Prolapse, Vaginal Prolapse, Pelvic Anatomy, Robotic Surgery, Pelvic Floor, Pelvic Ligaments
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.7 No.12,
November
30,
2017
ABSTRACT: Introduction: It is widely accepted that the uterosacral ligaments
(UTSL), together with the cardinal ligament (CL), hold the upper vagina and
cervix over the levator plate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the
anatomical relationship between the right vs. left CL and UTSL during robotic
and laparoscopic utero-sacral ligament suspension (UTSLS) and its implication
with the surgical technique during UTSL suspension. Material and Methods:
We evaluated 25 women with apical pelvic organ prolapses of stages 2 - 4 and we
analyzed 100 uterosacral and cardinal ligaments. They were assigned (non-randomly)
to: a) robotic-assisted laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension (RAL-UTSLS),
b) robotic-assisted single-site utero-sacral ligament suspension (RASS-UTSLS)
or laparo-endoscopic single site utero-sacral ligament suspension (LESS-UTSLS).
We evaluated the length (distance between origins and insertions) of the
aforementioned ligaments using the Da Vinci Si and other laparoscopic
instruments like calipers. Results: The mean length of the UTSL in their
caudal-cranial extent was 3.5 ± 0.5 cm (right side) and 2.58 ± 0.3 cm (left side). Measurements were performed
on the same way for the CL, resulting in 5.1 ± 0.3 cm (both side). The only significant difference was observed when
comparing the right vs. left UTSL. This anatomic difference translates to 5 ±
1 suture stitches on the right UTSL vs.
2 ± 1 on the left UTSL. Conclusion:
In our evaluation on cardinal and uterosacral ligament, the right UTSL was significantly
longer as compared to the left and this allowed us to take 3 additional stitches
on the right UTSL vs. left during RAL-UTSLS. Future studies are necessary to
compare females with/without POP.