Two-port access versus four-port access laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy

Won-Kyu Choi; Jang-Kew Kim; Jung-Bo Yang; Young-Bok Ko; Sang-Lyun Nam; Ki-Hwan Lee

doi:10.5468/ogs.2014.57.5.379

Abstract

Objective

This study was conducted to compare the surgical outcomes between two-port access and four-port access laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy.

Methods

Four hundred and eighty nine patients who had received two-port access laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy (n=175) and four-port access laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy (n=314) in Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2009 to August 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The data were compared between the bilaterality of the cysts and cyst diameter of less than 6 cm and 6 cm or more.

Results

There were no significant differences in patient's age, parity, body weight, body mass index and history of previous surgery between the two-port and four-port access laparoscopy group. Bilaterality of ovarian cysts was more in fourport access laparoscopy group (13.7% vs. 32.5%, P=0.000). There were no significant differences in operation time, hemoglobin change, hospital stay, adhesiolysis, transfusion, and insertion of hemo-vac between the two-port and four-port access laparoscopy group for size matched compare. However additional analgesics were more in four-port access laparoscopy group for unilateral ovarian cystectomy.

Conclusion

Two-port access laparoscopic surgery was feasible and safe for unilateral and bilateral ovarian cystectomy compare with four-port access laparoscopic surgery.

Keywords: Cystectomy; Ovarian cysts; Two-port access laparoscopy

Introduction

One of the most common disease that occur in women of childbearing age is benign ovarian cysts. In the young woman, ovarian cystectomy underwent surgery rather than salpingooophorectomy if possible, as an important key to the preservation of ovarian function [1].

Laparoscopic surgery as compared to open surgery is performed because of reduction of pain after surgery, the short length of hospital stay, reduction of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions, various advantages such as a cosmetic effect [2]. In the past, the classical laparoscopic surgery was used the four ports, but recently becoming a change to tend to minimize the number of port, such as single-port access laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy or two-ports access laparoscopic surgery in order to maximize the advantages of the laparoscopic surgery [3]. Two-ports access laparoscopic surgery has some advantages such as small number of operation wound and cosmetic effect. However, technically more difficult than four-ports access laparoscopic surgery.

This study is comparing the two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery in patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy with benign ovarian cyst attempt to investigate whether there were differences in the clinical course such as hospitalization, amount of bleeding, surgery time, and pain.

Materials and methods

1. Materials

Three years and eight months from January 2009 to August 2012, we analyzed retrospective study. Four hundred eighty-nine patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy due to benign ovarian cyst were in Chungnam National University Hospital. Patients was limited to the cases received surgery to laparoscopic surgery over 6 years specialist experience. One hundred seventy-five patients were underwent two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and 314 patients were underwent four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. Until February 2011 we performed four-ports access laparoscopic surgery, after March 2011 we performed two-ports access laparoscopic surgery. There was a no conversion to open surgery during laparoscopic surgery.

Age, parity, weight, body mass index, history of surgery, ultrasound examination of the ovarian cyst measuring the maximum diameter and whether bilateral, whether adhesions, tissue characteristics, operative time, perioperative hemoglobin levels changes, transfusion status, additional analgesics due to postoperative pain, postoperative hospital stay were investigated by examining the medical records of patients.

Surgical history was determined by the number of laparotomy (open surgery) and laparoscopic surgery. Hemoglobin level was calculated as the difference between the measured value of the second day after surgery and preoperative hemoglobin level. We checked adhesiolysis and other operation during the ovarian cystectomy and operation time was measured from incision to skin closure.

2. Methods

Prophylactic antibiotics were administered before surgery. With general anesthesia and the Trendelenburg position, the abdomen and thighs were disinfected with povidone. After covering the surgical drape, 18F foley catheter was inserted into the bladder. If patients has coital history, we were inserted Uterine Manipulator (Zinnanti Uterine Manipulator Injector, CooperSurgical Inc., Trumbull, CT, USA). The surgery was taken Trendelenburg positions that lowers the head 30o about the patient. For endometriosis, surgery was performed ovarian cystectomy and adhesiolysis and pelvic cavity endometrial tissue excision. Postoperative drainage tube was inserted only if there is high risk of bleeding. After removing ovarian cysts, ovaries are not sutured. The ovarian cystectomy site was covered with Interceed (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH, USA) to prevent adhesion. The peritoneum and fascia were sutured with 2-0 Vicryl, skin was sutured with 2-0 Nylon.

As a default, all patients were applied patient controlled analgesia (PCA) for pain control. PCA was used as a mixture of 45 mg of morphine and ketoracin 120 mg of 5% glucose solution 100 mL. Administration rate was 2 mL per hour and lasted about two days. If patients press the button 2 mL PCA was applied to be administered. Visual analog scale score if this was more than 5 points were muscular diclofenac injected. If patients had a fever or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs adverse effects, pethidine was injected 25 mg on intramuscular.

1) Two-ports access laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy

One-centimeter incision in the umbilicus and CO₂ filled by inserting a Verres needle. Ten-millimeter trocar was inserted and pelvic status and disease were confirmed by pelviscope. Ten-millimeter trocar was removed and the incision in the umbilicus was expanded to 2 cm then secured with surgical pathway by Octoport (Octo-Port, DalimSurgNet, Seoul, Korea) or Alexis wound protractor (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA) and a glove. Surgical pathway made by a wound retractor and a glove and finger cut with scissors three places out of surgical gloves inserted two 5-mm ports, one 10-mm port and then tied with a rubber band is not leaking gas. Surgery was performed after additional insertion one 5-mm port in the left lower abdomen and used a 30-degree-angle, 5-mm-diameter, 43-cm-length pelviscope.

Surgeon was standing on the left side of patient and handled instrument with both hands that inserted the port at umbilicus and left lower abdomen. First assistant was standing on the right side of the patient and handled endoscope at umbilicus. If necessary, a single instrument was added to the umbilicus port. Second assistant was sitting between the patient's leg and manipulated uterine elevator.

The ovarian cystectomy was using the monopolar coagulator and putted the incision along the surface of the cyst, separated and removed gradually. Bleeding site was controled by bipolar coagulator. Resected cysts was removed through the umbilical incision site to insert the Endopouch (Ethicon Endo-Surgery). If necessary, we installed a drainage through the left lower abdomen after cystectomy.

2) Four ports access laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy

One-centimeter incision in the umbilicus and CO₂ filled by inserting a Verres needle. Ten-millimeter trocar was inserted. Endoscope was placed in pelvis and check the pelvis status and disease. Endoscope was consisted 10-mm-diameter, 33-cm-length, 0-degree-angle. Surgery was performed with additional trocar. Twelve-millimeter trocar was installed in the left lower abdomen, 5-mm trocar was installed in the right lower quadrant and suprapubic area.

Surgeon was standing on the left side of patient and handled instrument with both hands that inserted the port at suprapubic area and left lower abdomen. First assistant was standing on the right side of the patient and handled instrument at right lower abdomen. Second assistant was standing on the head of the patient and controled endoscope. Third assistant was sitting between the patient's leg and manipulated uterine elevator.

This method was performed in the same way as two-port laparoscopic cystectomy. Resected cysts was removed through the left lower abdomen trocar to insert the Endopouch. If necessary, we installed a drainage through the left lower abdomen after cystectomy.

3. Statistical analysis

SPSS ver. 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis of the study results. We used the Shapiro-Wilk test in the normal distribution of the variables, Mann-Whitney U-test and Student's t-test was used for comparison of continuous variables. We use the chi-square analyses or Fischer's exact test comparison of nominal variables. Statically significant was based on the P-value 0.05.

Results

1. Characteristics of patients

Total patients was 489. One hundred seventy-five patients underwent two-ports access laparoscopic surgery, 314 patients underwent four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in average age and parity between the two-ports access laparoscopic surgery group and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery group were 30.4 and 31.4 years, 1.2 and 1.3 times. Weight between the two groups were 56.6 and 56.2 kg, body mass index was 21.9 and 21.9 kg/m². There was no statistically significant difference 41 (23.4%) and 78 (24.3%) at a history of previous abdominal surgery (Table 1).

2. Operative characteristics

Bilateral cysts is whether two-ports access laparoscopic surgery is 151 unilateral surgery group (86.3%) patients, 24 were bilateral (13.7%) patients, four-ports access laparoscopic surgery, each group 212 (67.5%) patients, 102 (32.5%) are significantly more bilateral in four-ports access laparoscopic surgery were in the surgical group method (P=0.000).

Histological characteristics were similar in the two groups. Endometriosis was most common in both groups, showed a mature cystic teratoma in the second. The two-ports access laparoscopic surgery group was serous ovarian cyst, four-ports access laparoscopic surgery group showed a lot of third mucinous ovarian cyst (Table 2).

3. Results of laparoscopic surgery

We divided groups by unilateral or bilateral and diameter of the cyst less than 6 cm or more than 6 cm in two-ports and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. And we investigated hemoglobin change, hospital day, adhesiolysis, transfusion, drainage tube installed, additional analgesics.

There was no significant difference in operation time for unilateral cyst excision of the cyst diameter less than 6 cm. The operation time was 55.5 and 54.3 minutes for two-port and four-port laparoscopic surgery.

Hemoglobin change, hospital day, adhesiolysis, blood transfusion, drainage tube installed even if no significant differences. However, 41 patients (39.4%), in four-ports access laparoscopic surgery showed significantly more used method in 50 cases (50.5%) in this process additional analgesics administration. A unilateral cyst was 6 cm or more in diameter and operative time was 47 vs. 113 cases and 66.8 and 62.5 minutes respectively, they was not significantly different. Hemoglobin change, hospital day, adhesiolysis, drainage tube installed, additional analgesics, transfusion, there was no significant difference. However, additional analgesics was significantly more used 14 patients (29.8%) in tow ports access laparoscopic surgery, 63 cases (55.8%) in four-ports access laparoscopic surgery (Table 3).

If in bilateral ovarian cystectomy is less than the diameter of the cyst 6 cm, was the method and technique used were 15 and 68 cases, respectively, and there was no significant difference in operative time was 58.8 to 64.6 minutes. In addition, no significant difference in hemoglobin change, hospital day, adhesiolysis, transfusion, drainage tube and additional analgesics. There was no significantly difference in case of bilateral cysts less than 6 cm in diameter was 9 and 34 cases, operation time was 89.9 and 81.4 minutes. Hemoglobin change, hospital day, adhesiolysis, transfusion, drainage tube installed, additional analgesics administration showed no significant difference (Table 4).

Discussion

The laparoscopic surgery in gynecology area after salpingectomy has been performed for the first time using the Shapiro and Adler pelviscope on 1973 [4], diagnostic and therapeutic purposes gradually started to be used widely. Been made since the development of complementary technologies, they present a new mechanism has been used in surgery for most gynecologic malignancies and benign diseases today. Laparoscopic surgery are bleeding, adhesion formation (adhesion formation), such as infection (infection) complications (complication) less after surgery than open surgery, less incision may have cosmetic effects. It has the advantage that it can shorten the hospital stay, faster recovery after surgery, the pain is less [5].

Research was continued from the past of laparoscopic surgery approach, which was to make the results of research in the direction of the best path to a minimum. It has been reported in several urological surgery and appendectomy surgery, cholecystectomy, such as single-port access laparoscopic surgery through the umbilicus [6,7,8,9]. In obstetrics area, Wheeless and Thompson [10] tried for the first time in single port access laparoscopic surgery tubal ligation. Pelosi and Pelosi [11] was an attempt to have hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on 1991, since then the single port operation was used in ovarian operation such as ovarian cystectomy, salpingectomy. It was also used for staging of the Gynecologic Cancer [12].

If the four-ports access laparoscopic surgery using 3 or 4 ports, leaving the rest of the surgical scar other than navel port. However, this advantage cannot be found almost hidden by the folds of the belly surgery marks are the single port access laparoscopic surgery using only one incision in the belly button. Umbilicus is the thinnest part where no blood vessels, muscle, nerve tissue in the abdominal wall. It is known that there is a reduction in pain after the operation, as significant effect as to maximize the effect of the cosmetic surgery through an incision in the region of umbilicus [13].

However, single port access laparoscopic surgery is using a one port. This hinders the freedom of movement of the mechanism during operation, causing a collision. In addition, the operating time may increase the operation complicated and technically difficult to occur. Therefore, it is necessary at the time of operation of the various manipulation and traction angle. However, it is difficult for the restricted manipulation and movements of the instrument when single port access laparoscopic surgery [7,14]. One of minimally invasive surgery to compensate for this, it is attempted two-ports access laparoscopic surgery. The advantage of this method is using the instruments previously used [15], and it is possible to switch to the four-ports access laparoscopic surgery as needed. Kim et al. [16] compared to benign ovarian cystectomy by a single port access laparoscopic surgery and two-ports and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. It has been reported that single port access laparoscopic surgery is more bleeding and take longer operating time than two-ports and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. But there was no significant difference in operative time compared to two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery.

This study subdivided and analyzed by the size of cyst less than 6 cm or above 6 cm. Unilateral cyst diameter less than 6 cm, the operative time was 55.5 and 54.3 minutes in two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. More than 6 cm, there was no significant difference between two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery to 66.8 and 62.5 minutes, respectively. Bilateral cyst diameter less than 6 cm, the operative time was 58.8 and 64.6 minutes in two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. More than 6 cm, there was no significant difference between two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery to 89.9 and 81.4 minutes, respectively. In both cases, the cyst is less than 6 cm and above than 6 cm in diameter, there were no differences in perioperative hemoglobin change, hospital day, blood transfusion, drainage tube installed between two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery. In addition, even the adhesiolysis, which may affect the operation time was not significantly different on both groups.

However, in both cases showed unilateral cyststectomy at less 6 cm and 6 cm or more, significantly more than in four-ports access laparoscopic surgery to two-ports access laparoscopic surgery of additional painkillers. And that can affect the surgery pain between the two groups were not significantly different whether the installation of the drain tube. Four-ports access laparoscopic surgery was installed in the 12-mm port in the left lower abdomen to remove the cyst, it is estimated that an increase in the pain caused by the cyst removed using two-ports access laparoscopic surgery umbilical port, but the cause of additional pain medication is administered. Therefore be concluded that two-ports access laparoscopic surgery is less painful compared to four-ports access laparoscopic surgery, is considered as a method recommended for patients after surgery, you want to minimize the hurt.

In addition to a variety of possible operations to reduce the conflict between ovarian mechanism when compared with laparoscopic surgery, with benefits going to see anything useful in surgical adhesions, or ovarian cyst the size of a large. However, there were limitations such as appropriate selection of the control group and variable control and retrospective studies. Therefore, a prospective study to investigate the usefulness and safety of two-ports access laparoscopic surgery for cysts, and require the comparative study of two-ports access laparoscopic surgery and four-ports access laparoscopic surgery is also considered necessary.