Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Apical Suspension. Description of a 4 Points Technique (RALAS-4): First Case Reported

The uterosacral ligaments (UTSL), together with the cardinal ligament (CL), hold the upper vagina and cervix over the levator plate. These 2 ligaments provided 4 points support at the apex. Here we describe our surgical technique of robotic assisted laparoscopic apical suspension (RALAS) using non-absorbable sutures and describe a new 4 points technique (RALAS-4). 73-year-old Caucasian woman, gravida 5, para 4 had symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) apical/anterior stage III. At pelvic ultrasound evaluation the uterus was small and normal appearing of adnexa bilaterally. She failed pessaries and was sexually active. The most relevant complaints were vaginal bulging, pressure and urinary incontinence, mainly stress urinary incontinence;she is using 5 - 7 pads/day. Robotic assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy, mid-urthral sling and apical suspension was successfully performed in 125 min. Once we finished with hysterectomy, we proceed with RALAS-4, we used V-Loc 3-0, CV-23 (Covidien) sutures (absorbable) on the right and left uterosacral ligaments (2 points) and theses were reinforced with Gore-Tex 2-0, CV-2 (non-absorbable, Gore Medical). On the right/left anterior apical support we used Gore-Tex 2-0 and these provided the 2 point suspension (UTLS = 2 and anterior vagina = 2). The 2 anterior apical support sutures are taken from the vagina to the transversalis fascia and the obliterated umbilical artery on the anterior abdominal wall. The tension of these anterior sutures was maintained with Hem-o-lock (TeleFlex) and LAPRA-TY (Ethicon). In our opinion RALAS-4 may represents an alternative to robotic or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. This new approach simulate the natural 4 points support given by uterosacral ligaments and cardinal ligament, with the additional benefit of no mesh and no dissection on the sacrum promontory. With this technique we are chasing the Trifecta: no mesh, no complications and good anatomic support.

Anatomic Evaluation of Uterosacral and Cardinal Ligament during Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

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.