Standardization of laparoscopic pelvic examination

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic surgery
• Surgical standardization
• Pelvic anatomy

Background:

• Diagnostic and operative laparoscopy require standardized reporting for accurate findings.
• Current methods for reporting laparoscopic pelvic examinations lack consistency.
• A reproducible system based on anatomical landmarks is needed to improve clarity and reduce errors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel, standardized, and reproducible system for reporting positive and negative findings during diagnostic and operative laparoscopy.
• To establish a systematic approach to pelvic examination based on anatomical landmarks.

Main Methods:

• A video presentation demonstrating a systematic examination of the female pelvis.
• Utilizes animation and surgical cases to illustrate the proposed system.
• Divides the pelvis into four topographical zones (I, II, III, and IV) based on defined anatomical landmarks.

Main Results:

• The proposed system divides the female pelvis into midline zones (I and II) and lateral zones (III and IV).
• Zone I: Area between round ligaments.
• Zone II: Area between uterosacral ligaments.
• Zone III: Area encompassing fallopian tubes and ovaries.
• Zone IV: Area lateral to fallopian tubes and medial to external iliac vessels.

Conclusions:

• The proposed system offers a user-friendly and reproducible method for laparoscopic pelvic examinations.
• It facilitates systematic exploration and documentation of pelvic pathologies, improving diagnostic accuracy.
• Standardization offers clinical and academic advantages, aiding in the diagnosis of lesions in challenging locations.