Optimal duration of urinary catheterization after anterior colporrhaphy.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The optimal duration of urethral catheterization during and after pelvic reconstructive surgery is not established. This study investigated the optimal duration of urinary catheterization in patients undergoing anterior vaginal repair with or without other vaginal surgeries.

Methods: A total of 90 patients were included from April 2007 to March 2008.

Laparoscopic ureteroureteral anastomosis for repair of ureteral injury involving stricture.

We describe an approach to laparoscopic ureteroureteral anastomosis for surgical management of ureteral stricture, and review four cases in which this method was used. In these four cases, we observed no intraoperative complications. Patients' length of hospital stay was 1-2 days.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy using multifunction grasping, coagulating, and cutting forceps.

We describe the use of multifunction grasping, coagulating, and cutting forceps in total laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) and compare surgery time, estimated blood loss, and costs for a series of 123 LH performed by the principal author at one of two community hospitals in Seattle between January 2001 and July 2002. The first 73 were performed using bipolar Kleppinger forceps (Richard Wolf Instruments, Vernon Hills, Illinois), endoscopic scissors (Karl Storz Endovision, Charlton, Massachusetts), and a monopolar spatula electrode (Jarit Surgical Instruments, Hawthorne, New York); the last 50 cases were performed using the PlasmaKinetic (PK) (Gyrus Medical, Maple Grove, Minnesota) multifunction cutting forceps and the monopolar spatula electrode. We were able to compare patient data in two surgery categories: LH alone (43 patients, 26 using the Kleppinger forceps and endoscopic scissors, 17 using the PK system), and laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (30 patients, 20 using Kleppinger forceps and endoscopic scissors, 10 using the PK system).

Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula.

Purpose: To describe a methodology for laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), and to provide a comparison of results between a series of laparoscopic repairs, a series of transabdominal open repairs (TAORs), a series of transvaginal repairs (TVRs), and cases successfully managed without surgery.

Patients And Methods: A total of 16 patients were diagnosed with post-hysterectomy VVF. All patients were first managed conservatively with continuous drainage via a Foley catheter until dry.

Introduction of a laparoscopic gynecological program in a general hospital in Taiwan.

Background And Objectives: We reviewed the records for 571 gynecologic laparoscopies performed at a privately owned general hospital in Kaosiung Taiwan in 1998 and 1999 and discuss here the major obstacles we encountered while introducing these procedures at our institution.

Methods: Included in this series are 293 procedures performed in 1998 (149 hysterectomies, 144 adnexal procedures), and 278 procedures performed in 1999 (131 hysterectomies, 147 adnexal procedures). Thirty-nine of these patients also underwent laparoscopic appendectomy.

Laparoscopic myomectomy technique. Use of colpotomy and the harmonic scalpel.

Objective: To describe the use of colpotomy and the harmonic scalpel in laparoscopic myomectomy and to compare estimated blood loss when using unipolar cautery versus the harmonic scalpel and surgical time for colpotomy versus morcellation.

Study Design: A retrospective, cohort study was performed on 168 patients who were diagnosed with and treated for uterine leiomyomata between January 1992 and January 2000. Patients presented with infertility, menometrorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, masses on ultrasound or a combination of these symptoms.

A prospective multisite study of radiofrequency bipolar energy for treatment of genuine stress incontinence.

Study Objective: To assess the efficacy of radiofrequency electrothermal energy to treat genuine stress incontinence (GSI).

Design: Multicenter, prospective, single-arm, longitudinal study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).

Setting: Six North American university-affiliated and private clinic sites.

Laparoscopic uterine suspension by round ligament plication.

Objective: To describe a method for laparoscopic uterine suspension by round ligament plication using standard suturing instruments.

Study Design: Forty-six women underwent uterine suspension for treatment of chronic pelvic pain due to uterine retroversion over a period of five years. All operations were performed by the principal author.

Acute and long-term outcomes of radio frequency bladder neck suspension.

Purpose: A new treatment modality for women with stress urinary incontinence secondary to urethral hypermobility is radio frequency bladder neck suspension. Radio frequency energy is a form of electromagnetic energy that is reliable and highly controllable. This thermal therapy can produce well-defined areas of tissue heating.