Innovative technique for enclosed morcellation using a surgical glove.

OBJECTIVE

To describe an innovative approach for enclosed morcellation using a surgical glove in multiport laparoscopic surgery.

METHODS

Power morcellation was performed within an insufflated surgical glove in a completely enclosed manner between January and May 2014. The specimen was placed into the glove within the abdomen. The glove opening and thumb were exteriorized through the umbilical and left lower abdominal trocar incisions, respectively. The optical trocar and optic were inserted into the glove, which was then insufflated. The thumb tip was cut, and a power morcellator was inserted through this finger. The morcellation was accomplished within the completely enclosed glove. The thumb tip was closed, and the glove, containing residual specimens and bloody fluid, was removed from the abdomen through the umbilical incision. Thus, the risks of bag piercing and leakage during contained power morcellation were eliminated. Demographic and operative data were collected and analyzed for all cases.

RESULTS

Thirty multiport laparoscopic myomectomy and morcellation procedures were performed during the study period. The median operative time was 85 minutes (range 60-140 minutes). The median morcellation preparation time, total morcellation time, and withdrawal time were 6 (range 4.5-14), 32 (range 15-55), and 1.2 (range 1-1.5) minutes, respectively. No intraoperative complications or bag ruptures were recorded.

CONCLUSION

With our innovative technique, a disposable latex glove can be used for an enclosed morcellation that avoids piercing the enclosure container within the abdominal cavity, thereby offering decreased risks related to bag perforation and leakage compared with previous contained power morcellation techniques.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.