Simplifying laparoscopic running suture line utilizing “Puller” technique: demonstration in laparoscopic myomectomy

Abstract

Laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) has increased recently as treatment options for symptomatic uterine myomas for a patient who wants to preserve her uterus. However, adequate suture of the uterine defect is difficult in LM, even for an experienced surgeon. The most time-consuming step of LM is the suturing procedure. The suture material can tangle easily and disentanglement is time-consuming. We introduce a simple but highly effective instrument named "Puller" for continuous intracorporeal suturing in LM. After completion of myoma enucleation, the operator sutures the uterine defect with suture material in continuous manner. The tip of "Puller" looks like a hook. During the suture, the first assistant inserts the "Puller" on the suprapubic site and sets the suture material on the hook and pulls it extracorporeally. After one stitch, the operator pulls the suture material intracorporeally, and then the first assistant pulls the sutured portion of the thread extracorporeally with "Puller" and holds the stitch to maintain the adequate tension during the repair. From January 2011 to October 2011, 88 patients who were diagnosed with uterine myoma underwent LM using "Puller" by a single surgeon. The mean diameter of the myoma was 6.8 ± 2.1 cm, and multiple myomas were observed in 46 cases (52.3 %). As a result, the mean operation time was 65.0 ± 22.1 min, the estimated blood loss was 173.9 ± 179.8 ml. Mean weight of removed myoma was 141.5 ± 105.7 g. Postoperative febrile morbidity (body temperature higher than 37.7 °C) was observed in 15 patients (17 %). However, no patients had conversion to laparotomy and needed blood transfusion. There were no major complications that required reoperation or readmission. Laparoscopic myomectomy can be performed easily and effectively by using the "Puller" technique with standard instruments. Additionally, this "Puller" technique could be adopted in all minimally invasive surgery needed running suture for hemostasis and closure.