Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Introduction of Intracapsular Rotary-cut Procedures IRCP: A Modified Hysteromyomectomy Procedures Facilitating Fertility Preservation
Published on: January 17, 2019
Enabling Technologies for Gynecologic Vaginal Surgery: A Systematic Review
Sunil Balgobin1, Ethan M Balk, Anne E Porter
1Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, and the Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; the Center for Evidence Synthesis in Health, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; the Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico; the Woman's Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery, Phoenix, Arizona; the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Waukesha, Wisconsin; the Division of Urogynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan; the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Health, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey; and the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, Kentucky.
Objective:
To systematically review the literature to evaluate clinical and surgical outcomes for technologies that facilitate vaginal surgical procedures.
Data Sources:
We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1990 to May 2022.
Methods Of Study Selection:
Comparative and single-arm studies with data on contemporary tools or technologies facilitating intraoperative performance of vaginal gynecologic surgical procedures for benign indications were included. Citations were independently double screened, and eligible full-text articles were extracted by two reviewers. Data collected included study characteristics, technology, patient demographics, and intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Risk of bias for comparative studies was assessed using established methods, and restricted maximum likelihood model meta-analyses were conducted as indicated.
Tabulation, Integration, And Results:
The search yielded 8,658 abstracts, with 116 eligible studies that evaluated pedicle sealing devices (n=32), nonrobotic and robotic vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (n=64), suture capture devices (n=17), loop ligatures (n=2), and table-mounted telescopic cameras (n=1). Based on 19 comparative studies, pedicle sealing devices lowered vaginal hysterectomy operative time by 15.9 minutes (95% CI, -23.3 to -85), blood loss by 36.9 mL (95% CI, -56.9 to -17.0), hospital stay by 0.2 days (95% CI, -0.4 to -0.1), and visual analog scale pain scores by 1.4 points on a subjective 10-point scale (95% CI, -1.7 to -1.1). Three nonrandomized comparative studies and 53 single-arm studies supported the feasibility of nonrobotic vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for hysterectomy, adnexal surgery, pelvic reconstruction, and myomectomy. Data were limited for robotic vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, suture capture devices, loop ligatures, and table-mounted cameras due to few studies or study heterogeneity.
Conclusion:
Pedicle sealing devices lower operative time and blood loss for vaginal hysterectomy, with modest reductions in hospital stay and pain scores. Although other technologies identified in the literature may have potential to facilitate vaginal surgical procedures and improve outcomes, additional comparative effectiveness research is needed.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO, CRD42022327490.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management
01:28Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination