Vasopressin Injection Purse-String Ectopic Resection (VIPER) Technique for Laparoscopic Management of Cornual Ectopic

Abstract

<h3>Study Objective</h3> To describe the VIPER technique for the laparoscopic management of cornual ectopic pregnancy; a technique that minimizes blood loss and mitigates risk of conversion to laparotomy. <h3>Design</h3> Case series. <h3>Setting</h3> High-volume, academic and academic-affiliated medical centers. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> All patients presenting with cornual ectopic pregnancy managed surgically. <h3>Interventions</h3> Laparoscopic cornual resection by five Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeons. The VIPER technique utilizes four ports (umbilical, left lower quadrant, and ipsilateral right sided) and a 30-degree laparoscope. After obtaining visualization, dilute vasopressin is injected into the myometrium adjacent to the pregnancy. The affected fallopian tube is disconnected distally. A purse-string stitch with uni-directional barbed suture is placed circumferentially around the pregnancy and cinched. This stitch achieves hemostasis regardless of rupture status. The needle is left attached, and a wedge resection of the cornua is performed with an ultrasonic device. The myometrial defect is repaired with the remaining suture. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> 17 patients underwent laparoscopic cornuectomy between 2012 to 2022, with 7 found to be ruptured. The mean patient age was 30 years (range 20-41), mean body mass index was 31.4kg/m² (range 22-52), and mean gestational age was 8 weeks 6 days (range 5 weeks 6 days to 11 weeks 1 day). Patient risk factors included history of prior sexually transmitted infection (3 patients), in vitro fertilization (1 patient), and prior ectopic pregnancy (1 patient). The other twelve patients had no risk factors. The mean operative time was 107 minutes (range 50-229), with mean estimated blood loss of 41mL for non-ruptured and 412mL for ruptured ectopic pregnancies. The mean hemoperitoneum identified was 1117mL, (range 50mL to 3325mL). There were no conversions to laparotomy. 70.6% of patients were discharged on the day of surgery. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The VIPER technique is feasible and effective for the management of both non-ruptured and ruptured cornual ectopic pregnancy.