ObjectiveThis article presents the first series of robotic single-port hysterectomy cases performed at a hospital in Brazil.MethodsFrom November 2014 to October 2016, 11 patients were indicated to undergo, and nine of them were submitted to single-port hysterectomy using da Vinci Single-Site® platform. However, in two patients, due to multiple previous abdominal surgeries, large uterine volume, and/or a uterus with no mobility, a pneumoperitoneum was performed with a Verres needle, and the pelvic cavity was assessed using a 5mm optics endoscope. In these cases, single-port surgery was not recommended; therefore, multiportal robotic access was chosen, and no intercurrent events were reported. Nine single-port cases were operated on by the same surgeon at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Patient data analyzed included age, body mass index, previous surgeries, and clinical diagnosis. Surgical data included operative time, skin incision, report of intraoperative complications, need for conversion to laparotomy, need for transfer to intensive care unit, need for blood transfusion, inadvertent injury to other organs, length of hospital stay, and death.ResultsAll cases were completed with da Vinci Single-Site® system, with no intercurrent events. Four patients presented with adenomyosis as the surgical indication, two had uterine myoma, one endometrial cancer, one endometrial polyp, and one desquamative inflammatory vaginitis. The mean age of patients was 44 years (range, 40 to 54 years), and body mass index varied between 23.4 and 33.2kg/m2 (mean 26.4). No complications occurred in any of the cases, such as intestinal or bladder injury, bleeding, or the need for a second surgery. All nine procedures were completed with the robotic single-port access, and no patient required a blood transfusion.ConclusionAlthough this study merely presented an initial series of patients submitted to robotic single-port surgery, it demonstrated that the method is feasible and safe, suggesting the possible use of this technique in elective hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures in the future, as described in large reference centers of advanced surgery worldwide. Specifically, in gynecological practice, existing evidence on the use of robot-assisted, single-port surgery seems promising, and although it is not indicated in all cases, it should be considered as a surgical option. Nonetheless, further randomized and controlled clinical studies are necessary to establish the preeminence of robot-assisted, single-port surgery versus single-incision and conventional laparoscopy.

Objective To analyze the applicability and efficiency of a multi-approach laparoscopic training in improving basic laparoscopic skills of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residents. Methods Cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study, developed at the Experimentation and Surgery Training Center (CETEC, in the Portuguese acronym) of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein with OBGYN residents. Theoretical and practical tests were applied to 24 OBGYN residents to assess their laparoscopic skills before and after their participation in an 8-week course. The course involved theoretical lectures and practical laparoscopic surgery exercises developed using rubber models, black boxes, virtual simulators and animal models (pigs). Results There was an overall improvement in the ability of the residents, with an increase in the number of correct answers in the theoretical evaluation and decrease in the time needed to perform practical tests (needle holder assembly and laparoscopic node). The course was evaluated by the students as highly relevant for both improving their surgical skills and motivating them to continue practicing. Conclusion Laparoscopic training using multiple approaches resulted in significant improvement of surgical skills with a high satisfaction level of the participants. Further studies are still needed to measure the long-term retention of these acquired skills.

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