A pilot study of robotic uterine and vaginal vault manipulation: the ViKY Uterine Positioner™

Abstract

A pilot study of uterine and vaginal vault manipulation using a new surgical robot—The ViKY Uterine Positioner™––enrolled 36 cases comprising 31 hysterectomies, two myomectomies, two sacrocolpopexies and one excision of severe endometriosis performed between July 2010 and February 2012 in a tertiary referral District General Hospital in the UK. Mean age was 48 years, body mass index 25.7 kg/m² and uterine weight 231 g. Nine cases were foot-controlled and 27 by Bluetooth voice control. ViKY UP™ docking time once V-Care™ was inserted was 4.3 min. The device caused no peri-operative complications. Adequate mobilization, visualization and range of movement was possible in 81, 78 and 61 % of cases, respectively, with most of the problems arising in cases with uterine weight >350 g. ViKY UP™ was detached and an assistant was required in three cases, whilst V-Care™ came out of the uterus in one case. The learning curve led to various adjustments including optimizing patient position, increasing the device range of movement and adjusting device sensitivity. As a result, problems were minimized in our last nine cases. Adding robotic uterine manipulation is the obvious next step to give the gynecologist the ultimate control and stability of the uterus during robotic-assisted surgery without having to lift their head from the viewfinder or rely on a remotely situated perineal assistant. ViKY UP™ is the first device to deliver this. Pilot study results did not demonstrate compromised safety, and the device appears to be effective and easy to learn.