Feeling of pulsations in artificial arteries with a real time haptic feedback laparoscopic grasper: a validation study.

Introduction: Despite the advancements in technology and organized training for surgeons in laparoscopic surgery, the persistent challenge of not being able to feel the resistance and characteristics of the tissue, including pulsations, remains unmet. A recently developed grasper (Optigrip®) with real time haptic feedback, based on photonic technology, aims to address this issue by restoring the tactile sensation for surgeons. The key question is whether pulsations can be detected and at what minimal size level they become clinical significant.

Male or female sterilization - the decision making process: Counselling and regret.

Objective(s): To analyze the decision-making process of both male and female sterilization in order to improve counselling and prevent regret after sterilization in the future.

Study Design: An online questionnaire regarding sterilization (counselling, sources of information and regret) was promoted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. A total of 1107 men and women who had undergone or considered sterilization in the Netherlands filled in the questionnaire.

Potential Value of Haptic Feedback in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Deep Endometriosis.

Laparoscopic treatment of deep endometriosis (DE) is associated with intra- and post-operative morbidity. New technological developments, such as haptic feedback in laparoscopic instruments, could reduce the rate of complications. The aim of this study was to assess the room for improvement and potential cost-effectiveness of haptic feedback instruments in laparoscopic surgery.

Long-term follow-up after successful Essure sterilization: evaluation of patient satisfaction, symptoms, and the influence of negative publicity.

Objective: To evaluate long-term patient satisfaction and symptoms after successful Essure sterilization and the influence of negative publicity on patients' opinion.

Design: Survey study.

Setting: Two nonacademic hospitals.

Performance of a Haptic Feedback Grasper in Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Pilot Comparison With Conventional Graspers in a Porcine Model.

Compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery is limited by reduced sensation of tissue properties. A laparoscopic grasper with integrated haptic feedback technology that improves the ability to sense tissue properties might provide a solution. The force reflecting operation instrument (FROI) is a new laparoscopic grasper, designed to provide information about the interaction forces between the instrument and tissue through resistance in the handle.

Algorithm of Transvaginal Ultrasound and/or Hysterosalpingogram for Confirmation Testing at 3 Months after Essure Placement.

Study Objective: To evaluate the algorithm of transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) and/or modified hysterosalpingogram (HSG) confirmation testing 3 months after Essure placement to determine if women can rely on the device for permanent birth control.

Design: Interim analysis of an ongoing 10-year, prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, single-arm, international trial (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Twenty study centers in the United States (n = 12), Canada (n = 1), The Netherlands (n = 6), and Spain (n = 1).

The effects of laparoscopic graspers with enhanced haptic feedback on applied forces: a randomized comparison with conventional graspers.

Background: Haptic feedback, which enables surgeons to perceive information on interaction forces between instrument and tissue, is deficient in laparoscopic surgery. This information, however, is essential for accurate tissue manipulation and recognition of tissue consistencies. To this end, a laparoscopic grasper with enhanced haptic feedback has been developed: the force reflecting operation instrument (FROI).

Ergonomics of laparoscopic graspers and the importance of haptic feedback: the surgeons' perspective.

Haptic feedback is drastically reduced in laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery. Introducing enhanced haptic feedback in laparoscopic instruments might well improve surgical safety and efficiency. In the design process of a laparoscopic grasper with enhanced haptic feedback, handle design should be addressed to strive for optimal usability and comfort.

Evaluation of Nickel Allergic Reactions to the Essure Micro Insert: Theoretical Risk or Daily Practice?

Study Objective: To evaluate whether de novo development of nickel sensitization is related to placement of the Essure device, and to evaluate whether the grade of reaction to nickel increased after device placement in patients with a confirmed nickel allergy.

Design: Prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Two nonacademic training hospitals in The Netherlands.

Twelve-year retrospective review of unintended pregnancies after Essure sterilization in the Netherlands.

Objective: To identify factors contributing to the occurrence of unintended pregnancies after Essure sterilization in the Netherlands. Even though Essure is a permanent method of contraception, unintended pregnancies have been reported.

Design: Retrospective case series analysis.

Confirmation of Essure placement using transvaginal ultrasound.

Study Objective: To evaluate the protocol for confirmation of satisfactory Essure placement using transvaginal ultrasound.

Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Outpatient departments of 4 teaching hospitals in the Netherlands.

Unintended pregnancies after Essure sterilization in the Netherlands.

Objective: To analyze the data of cases of unintended pregnancies after Essure sterilization.

Design: Retrospective case series analysis.

Setting: National multicenter.

Bilateral cornual abscess after endometrial ablation following Essure sterilization.

Endometrial ablation is used extensively to treat dysfunctional bleeding. Since the introduction of Essure tubal sterilization, this permanent contraception method has been widely used. Both endometrial ablation and Essure sterilization are procedures reported to have only a few complications.

Follow-up of successful bilateral placement of Essure microinserts with ultrasound.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of pelvic X-ray and transvaginal ultrasound to localize Essure microinserts (Conceptus, San Carlos, California) after successful placement in both fallopian tubes 3 months after placement.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: Gynecology departments at two teaching hospitals.

Efficacy and satisfaction rate comparing endometrial ablation by rollerball electrocoagulation to uterine balloon thermal ablation in a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare two methods of endometrial ablation, hysteroscopic rollerball electrocoagulation (RBE) and non-hysteroscopic uterine balloon thermal ablation (Thermachoice trade mark ), regarding efficacy for reducing dysfunctional uterine bleeding and patients satisfaction rate.

Methods: A randomised controlled study was performed in a teaching hospital at the department of gynaecology. One hundred and thirty-seven premenopausal women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding proved by validated menstrual score list were included.

Endometrial ablation by rollerball electrocoagulation compared to uterine balloon thermal ablation. Technical and safety aspects.

Objective: To compare two methods of endometrial ablation, hysteroscopic rollerball electrocoagulation (RBE) and non-hysteroscopic uterine balloon thermal (UBT) ablation (Thermachoice), regarding intra- and post-operative technical complications and safety aspects.

Study Design: A randomised controlled study in a teaching hospital, 139 pre-menopausal women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding proved by a validated menstrual score list were enclosed. Endometrial ablation by a hysteroscopic or non-hysteroscopic method was performed.

Diagnostic hysteroscopy: a valuable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of structural intra-cavital pathology and endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma?. Six years of experience with non-clinical diagnostic hysteroscopy.

Objective: 1045 diagnostic hysteroscopic procedures performed throughout six consecutive years were evaluated, focussing on its value in diagnosing endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma.

Design: Retrospective study performed in the gynaecological endoscopy clinic of a training hospital. Subjects were 1045 pre- and post-menopausal patients.