26yo, 197kg, female with grade 1 endometrial cancer for laparoscopic hysterectomy after failed treatment with Mirena for endometrial cancer.
Background:
- Endometrial cancer – being treated with mirena/curettes.
- Nulliparous woman, keen to have children, may do so via surrogate with egg donation.
- 2 x previous same procedure – one under GA igel 5, one under sedation with THRIVE. Both nil issues
- OSA
- Overnight oximetry with ODI 48/hr and witnessed apnoeas.
- Did not attend for review by respiratory physician despite repeated attempts from team.
- HCO3 and PaCO2 normal on ABG, so no e/o obesity hypoventilation
- High BMI ++
Update:
- Weight reduction surgery
- Surgery possible locally under the umbrella of ‘severe reflux surgery’ (allowing gastric bypass) or with support from a local MP (allowing a gastric sleeve)
- GP to refer to local public surgeon
- Wait time ~ 12mths which allows substantial engagement with the service’s dietician, which is critical to success of the procedure
- Gynae surgery
- Occurred several weeks ago.
- Combination of intra-abdominal laparoscopic and per-vaginal endoscopic (“natural orifice surgery”) approaches used which allowed minimisation of Trendelenburg requirements and abdominal insufflation pressures, both of which were poorly tolerated due to this patient’s body habitus.
- What is Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) (from Uptodate)
- Developed in 1990s
- Initial route was per-gastric however other orifices used include transanal, transvaginal, transurethral/transcystic, and transoesophageal.
- Has been used for peritoneal explorations, pancreatectomy, splenectomy, nephrectomy.
- Hypotheses
- A hole in a viscus may be better tolerated than in the abdominal wall, leading to less pain, adhesions, hernias.
- Absence of cosmetic scar
- Better access to certain areas, especially in the super obese patient (relevant in this patient)
- Possibly shorter hospitalisations and healthcare costs
- Concern persists around risks of bacterial contamination and abscess formation.
- Low incentive to move from the experimental phase (in most instances) due to lack of standardisation/protocols, training, and requirement for specialised instruments.