Introduction: This series of cases was an investigation of the safety and feasibility of robotic laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (R-LESS) as a method of performing sacrocolpopexy.
Case presentation: This is a retrospective series of 15 cases of R-LESS sacrocolpopexy with the V-Loc (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) suture and a retroperitoneal tunneling technique performed by a single surgeon, combined with a literature review. Patient demographic information and perioperative data were analyzed. The standard robotic sacrocolpopexy steps were followed, but the surgeon used a combined technique of V-Loc suture and retroperitoneal tunneling to simplify the procedure. No additional ports were necessary in any of the patients.
Management and outcome: Using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) scoring method, the mean preoperative C-point of the 15 patients was +1.16 compared to the mean immediate postoperative C-point, which was -5.5. The mean total sacrocolpopexy time was 74.7 (range, 50-99) minutes and mean mesh anchoring time was 22.60 ± 3.85 minutes. The mean sacral promontory fixation and tunneling and mesh position times were 11.87 ± 3.02 and 5.80 ± 2.14 minutes, respectively. All 15 cases were performed without perioperative or long-term complications.
Discussion: R-LESS in combination with the V-Loc suture and the retroperitoneal tunneling technique can be safely and feasibly performed, especially in sacrocolpopexy and, potentially, in other POP surgeries. With adequate and systematic training, surgeons can acquire the necessary skills to perform this complex surgical procedure.
Keywords: Pelvic organ prolapse; Retroperitoneal tunneling technique; Robotic laparoendoscopic single-site (R-LESS); Sacrocolpopexy; V-Loc suture.