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Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Abdominal Cerclage Placement During Pregnancy
S Kyle Gonzales1, C David Adair1, Carlos Torres1
1Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Erlanger Hospital, University of Tennessee- Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (RALAC) during pregnancy offers a minimally invasive option with good outcomes. This procedure shows comparable efficacy to open abdominal cerclage, making it a viable alternative for managing cervical insufficiency.
Area of Science:
- Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Surgical innovation
Background:
- Cervical insufficiency poses a risk to pregnancy outcomes.
- Traditional open abdominal cerclage is effective but invasive.
- Robotic-assisted laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (RALAC) offers a potential alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (RALAC) placement during pregnancy.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of RALAC in a clinical series.
- To compare RALAC with traditional open abdominal cerclage.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study was conducted at a single academic institution.
- Eleven patients underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (RALAC) during pregnancy.
- Data on pregnancy outcomes and complications were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- 81.8% of primary RALAC procedures resulted in a viable live-born neonate.
- 72.7% of neonates were born after 34 weeks of gestation.
- Subsequent pregnancies after RALAC placement demonstrated high success rates, with 87.5% resulting in live births.
Conclusions:
- Robotic-assisted laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (RALAC) is a minimally invasive procedure with an acceptable risk profile.
- RALAC demonstrates comparable efficacy to traditional open abdominal cerclage.
- RALAC may be considered an acceptable and favorable alternative to open abdominal cerclage in pregnancy.
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