Robotic Myomectomy: Five Modifications in Our Practice

We discuss five technical modifications made over 8 years in the technique of robotic myomectomy at our institution. Universal preoperative MRI was the first modification. Precise hysterotomy incisions were planned by accurate myoma mapping. The second modification was to reduce the number of ports. We performed surgery with one 12-mm-port for the camera and one 8-mm-port on either side of the patient for scissors and fenestrated bipolar forceps. Third modification was to reduce the number of robotic instruments by using laparoscopic myoma screw instead of robotic tenaculum during enucleation and discard the use of a second needle driver and prograsp forceps. So instead of six instruments in classical technique, we now use only three instruments thus reducing the cost of instruments by 40-50%. The fourth modification was to use a single 30 or 45 cm barbed suture. A single long suture efficiently managed by wristed needle driver of robot was sufficient in most cases for hysterotomy closure. This reduces the time needed for multiple needle pass and cost due to reduced number of sutures used. The fifth modification was to not use the electro mechanical morcellator and commercially available bags. We do cold knife morcellation in indigenous plastic bags. Over a period of eight years, we have made robotic myomectomy efficient and reduced the cost of instruments by 40-50% as compared to the classical technique. This has enabled wider adoption of robotic myomectomy at our institution thus reducing open myomectomy in all types of myomas.