Histological Characterization of Vaginal Cuff Tissue Using Different Energy Sources During Robotic Hysterectomy

December 17, 2014 updated by: Rosanne M. Kho, M.D., Mayo Clinic

Vaginal cuff dehiscence, a rare complication of gynecologic surgeries, can be devastating, particularly when associated with bowel evisceration. A review of records from 1970 - 2001 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN revealed a low incidence (0.032%) of vaginal cuff dehiscence after pelvic operation via both abdominal and vaginal approaches3. At a single, large, tertiary care facility, total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) was associated with an increased incidence of vaginal cuff dehiscence compared to other approaches (4.93% vs. 0.29% TVH, and 0.12% TAH)1. A review of our robotic experience revealed a vaginal cuff dehiscence incidence of 4.1%, which is comparable to the previously reported incidence for TLH2. An increasing number of laparoscopic hysterectomies are being performed in the United States with the rate of laparoscopic procedures increasing from 0.3% in 1990 to 11.8% in 20034. With 11.8% of 600,000 annual hysterectomies being performed via the laparoscopic route in the United States, there would be an estimated 3,400 cases of vaginal cuff dehiscence per year.

The cause of the higher rate of vaginal cuff dehiscence in both laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomies is currently unknown. One of the major differences between the laparoscopic and robotic approach as compared to the vaginal/abdominal route is the method by which the cervix is amputated from the vagina. With the vaginal and abdominal approaches, a colpotomy is made sharply with a knife or scissors. In contrast, the colpotomy is performed with electrocoagulation with the laparoscopic and robotic routes. One theory to explain the increased dehiscence incidence is the lateral thermal effects of electrocoagulation on the vaginal cuff which may adversely affect tissue healing.

This study aims primarily to shed light on the etiology of vaginal cuff healing after a robotic total hysterectomy. This will be done by comparing the extent of thermal injury at the cellular level using monopolar vs CO2 laser at the time of the colpotomy.

Study Overview

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

31

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Arizona
      • Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 50854
        • Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients scheduled for a robotic hysterectomy for benign indications

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female
  • Patient over age of 18 years undergoing a robotic total hysterectomy
  • Patients in Mayo Clinic (Arizona)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with gynecologic malignancy involving the vagina

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
CO2 Laser
Monopolar energy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Extent of thermal injust grossly from free tissue edge (mm)
Time Frame: at 12 and 6 o'clock
at 12 and 6 o'clock

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Rosanne M Kho, MD, Mayo Clinic

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

April 1, 2013

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2014

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 1, 2013

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 1, 2013

First Posted (Estimate)

May 3, 2013

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

December 19, 2014

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 17, 2014

Last Verified

December 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 10-001538

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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