Robotic-assisted transabdominal cerclage (RoboTAC) in the non-pregnant patient

Abstract

The use of cerclage, either through vaginal or abdominal routes, to assist in delaying pre-term delivery among select women with cervical insufficiency may be beneficial, but can also carry significant morbidity. Robotic-assisted transabdominal cervical cerclage (RoboTAC) in the non-pregnant patient has the ability to not only reduce associated morbidity, but also offer the same benefits as the more traditional laparotomy and laparoscopic approaches, while removing the risk to an in situ fetus. We report the use of robotic-assisted transabdominal cervical cerclage in 24 non-pregnant women. Feasibility of the procedure is discussed along with a description of the technical surgical details. In addition, limited pregnancy outcomes are presented. Our results suggest that RoboTAC is a safe alternative to the traditional laparotomy procedure with quicker recovery time.

Keywords::

• Cervical insufficiency
• pregnancy
• robotic surgery
• surgical complications
• transabdominal cervical cerclage

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Vicki Wasy for assisting with data collection, data management and patient follow-up.

Prior presentation

An abstract and poster of this manuscript was presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine, San Francisco, CA, 7–12 February, 2010.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.