title: The Giep needle pass: a simple technique for the passage of needles for vaginal cuff closure in robotically assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy.
abstract: The passage of needles and suture to close the vaginal cuff during a robotically assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy typically necessitates the use of a 10-12 mm accessory port to allow for the passage of a CT-1 sized needle. This results in a relatively large incision, which may lead to increased patient discomfort and dissatisfaction with cosmetic results compared to a smaller incision. Our technique of passing the needle and suture through the vagina allows us to use a smaller caliber accessory port while maintaining our ability to use a larger CT-1 needle easily and safely, with a reduced risk of losing the needle within the patient's abdomen.
authors.affiliation: Spartanburg and Pelham ObGyn, PA, 250 North Grove Medical Park Drive, Spartanburg, SC, 29303, USA. hgiep@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Hoang N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Giep
authors.affiliation: Spartanburg and Pelham ObGyn, PA, 250 North Grove Medical Park Drive, Spartanburg, SC, 29303, USA.
authors.forename: Bang N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Giep
keywords: Needle; Robotically assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy; Vaginal cuff; da Vinci Surgical System