Maylard incision in gynecologic surgery: 4-year experience in Thammasat University Hospital

To present the results of Maylard incisionfor gynecologic surgery in Thammasat University Hospital during the past four years.

A retrospective study of gynecologic surgery performed via the Maylard muscle cutting incision compare to Pfannenstiel muscle splitting and midline incision. Data came from subjects who underwent gynecologic surgey at Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand friom January 2010 to December 2013.

In the period of 4 years, there were 283 cases of elective surgery that performed via Maylard, Pfannenstiel and midline incision by the single experience gynecologic surgeon team. One hundred and six cases were performed via Maylard incision technique. The remaining 59 and 118 cases were performed via Pfannenstiel and midline incision technique, respectively. Two-thirds and one-thirds of cases underwent hysterectomy and conservative surgery, respectively. Benign conditions were the major indicationfor surgery at the percentage of 83.4. Operative results were not significantly different from well-known midline and Pfannenstiel incision in terms of blood loss, time to first meal and postoperative pain. Operative time in Maylard incision was longer than in Pfannenstiel incision. Length of stay in Maylard incision was longer than Pfannenstiel but shorter than midline incision. Overall complications (eoperation, bowel injuries, urinary bladder injuries and blood transfusion rate) were not significantly different.

Maylard incision provides similar operative results with midline and Pfannenstiel technique. Even though it takes more time for abdominal entry but it gives more operative exposure than Pfannenstiel incision. In the woman with previous low transverse scar and gynaecologic surgery is needed, Maylard incision could be an optional technique that provides cosmetic and successfud results. Hand on training for Maylard incision from their mentors should be encouraged to more practice.