FROM THE 16TH SLS ANNUAL MEETING AND ENDO EXPO 2007, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, SEPTEMBER 5–8, 2007
A great new approach to poster presentations was launched at the 16th SLS Annual Meeting and Endo Expo 2007. It is called the Poster Town Hall. From all the posters presented, the “Best Poster” was chosen in general surgery, urology, gynecology, and multispecialty. Recipients of these Best Poster awards re-presented there work in five minute oral slide presentations. The “Best of the Best” poster was chosen, and the authors received a $500 prize. This year’s “Best of the Best” poster award went to “Does Purchasing a da Vinci Robot Make Sense for a Mature Laparoscopic Prostatectomy Program?” by Peter L. Steinberg, MD, Paul A. Mergurian, MD, John A. Heaney, MB, William Bihrle, III, MD, John D. Seigne, MB.
Best Poster—Multispecialty
Development of a Method for the Consistent Creation of Experimental Pelvic Adhesions in a Swine Model
Submitted by Bradford W. Fenton, MD, PhD, Michelle Evancho-Chapman, James Fanning, DO
An animal model is lacking that allows for an easily replicable wound that produces consistent pelvic adhesions for use in adhesion prevention research. In this study using a swine model, a low-powered longitudinal electrocautery injury to the pelvic sidewall adjacent to a similar injury of the uterus and held in place with retention sutures for 14 days consistently generated dense, but anatomically delimited, adhesions between the pelvic sidewall and uterine horn. This technique can provide the basis for further quantitative analysis of adhesion prevention techniques.
Best Poster—General Surgery
Does Purchasing a da Vinci Robot Make Sense for a Mature Laparoscopic Prostatectomy Program?
Submitted by Peter L. Steinberg, MD, Paul A. Mergurian, MD, John A. Heaney, MB, William Bihrle, III, MD, John D. Seigne, MB
Robotic-assisted prostatectomy (RAP) and laparoscopic prostatectomy (LRP) are equivalent in terms of outcomes. We performed a cost benefit analysis of obtaining a da Vinci robot to provide recommendations about transitioning from LRP to RAP. We found that if a center does a high volume of prostatectomies, then converting to RAP is feasible and profits can be maintained. However, for low-volume programs (<25 cases/year), the high cost of the robot makes if not fiscally viable. If a robot is donated, costs are less and allow for reasonable revenues without drastic increases in caseloads. Because LRP and RAP outcomes are comparable, hospitals should weigh the market forces against the intangible benefits of robotics to determine whether such benefits outweigh the expenses of owning and operating a robot.
Best Poster—Gynecology
A Case of Large Urachal Cyst Treated by Laparoscopic-assisted Surgery
Submitted by Takashi Yamada, MD, Hiroshi Mori, MD
Laparotomy is the usual treatment of symptomatic urachal cysts, which develop from persistent urachal remnants. Our patient had a clinical diagnosis of an ovarian cyst. However, upon laparoscopic surgery for its removal, no ovarian cyst was found. Through the laparoscope, a cystic mass was seen hanging from the anterior abdominal wall. Using laparoscopic assistance, the cystic fluid and the tissue were removed. A histology study indicated that this was a urachal cyst. Thus, laparoscopic-assistance was used both for removal of this large type of cyst as well as for its diagnosis.
