Realhand high dexterity instruments for the treatment of stage I uterine malignancy.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of RealHand instruments on laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) for the treatment of stage I uterine cancer.


METHODS
This was a single-center, nonrandomized, consecutive patient pilot study. Patient status was evaluated in terms of operative morbidity, length of surgery, anesthesia time, body mass index (BMI), estimated blood loss, uterine weight, and hospital stay.


RESULTS
In the group of 10 patients, mean operative time was 1.7 hours, and anesthesia time was 2.3 hours. Mean estimated blood loss was 70mL, and patient hospital stay was 31.8 hours. No intra- or postoperative complications occurred. Blood loss, anesthesia time, BMI, and uterine weight were significant predictors of operative time. In one patient, LAVH using the RealHand instruments was canceled because of deep pelvic visualization difficulties, resulting in a conversion to laparotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
We present the first reported individual physician LAVH experience using RealHand instruments for the treatment of clinical stage I uterine cancer. The reported operative time, reasonable patient complication rates, and acceptable postoperative stay suggest that these innovative surgical instruments may have significant promise in the treatment of patients diagnosed with this gynecologic disease.
Rettenmaier
Mark A
MA
Gynecologic Oncology Associates, Hoag Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, Newport Beach, California, USA. mretten@cox.net
Lopez
Katrina
K
Graham
Cheri L
CL
Brown
John V
JV
John
Cameron R
CR
Micha
John P
JP
Goldstein
Bram H
BH
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009929:Organ Size; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*