Abstract
Primary objective was to evaluate safety and feasibility of robotic-assisted Essure removal while describing the procedure. Secondary objective was to assess improvement of symptoms post-operatively. The design was retrospective cohort study. Patients included were those who underwent robotic-assisted Essure removal between June, 2015 and December, 2020 for symptomatic relief. Interventions are robotic-assisted laparoscopic removal of Essure devices. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Phone survey of pain scores and quality-of-life ratings were performed. Twenty-one women underwent robotic-assisted removal of Essure devices. Two cases were excluded from analysis due to concomitant procedures. All devices were removed intact (19/19). The mean time from placement to removal was 5.3 years. Safety and feasibility were demonstrated, mean operating time was 43.1 ± 12 min, mean length of stay (LOS) was 11 h, and no complications occurred. Mean pain scores (0–10) improved from 8.5 before surgery to 0.75 at 1 month after surgery (p < 0.005). Mean Quality-of-Life (QOL) scores (0–7) improved from 5.9 prior to surgery to 1.5 at 1 month after surgery (p < 0.005). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of robotic assistance for Essure removal. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic Essure removal appears safe, feasible, and potentially superior to other surgical approaches. Despite discontinuation of the device in 2018, Essure removal is likely to remain needed. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic Essure removal appears effective in treating pain and various other symptoms attributed to Essure devices.
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Conceptualization: AG, WN, and HO; methodology: WN; formal analysis and investigation: WN and LG; writing—original draft preparation: WN; writing—review and editing: AG, WN, and HO; funding acquisition: none; resources: none; supervision: AG.
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This study was reviewed and approved by Institutional Review Board at Catholic Health System, Buffalo, New York.
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Nolan, W., Ohaeri, H., Georger, L. et al. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic Essure removal: a novel surgical approach. J Robotic Surg 15, 781–784 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-020-01176-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-020-01176-2