Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
A Teleoperated Robotic System-Assisted Percutaneous Transiliac-Transsacral Screw Fixation Technique
Published on: January 6, 2023
Surgical management of apical pelvic support defects: the impact of robotic technology
Ashley W Carroll1, Elizabeth Lamb, Audra Jo Hill
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
Our aim was to determine what effect access to robotic technology had on our approach to managing apical pelvic support defects.
Methods:
This was a retrospective chart review of 187 pelvic floor reconstructive surgeries performed for the 18 months prior to (time period 1: January 2007 to July 2008) and following (time period 2: July 2009 to December 2009) the introduction of the robot. Chi-square was used to compare percentages, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare demographic data among groups.
Results:
Overall, 187 procedures were performed for apical prolapse during the study period: 61 in time period 1 and 126 in time period 2. Following the introduction of robotic technology, a significant change from vaginal to abdominal reconstruction occurred. Uterosacral ligament suspension declined from 67 % to 22 % (p < 0.0001), whereas sacrocolpopexy increased from 25 % (15/61) to 66 % (83/126) (p < 0.0001). The rate of abdominal sacrocolpopexy, however, declined from 25 % (15/61) to 2 % (2/126) over the two time periods (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
The introduction of robotic technology significantly affected the surgical procedure and mode of surgical access for repair of apical pelvic support defects.
