CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER FOR LAPAROSCOPIC ENTEROCELE REPAIR

The use of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for laparoscopic enterocele repair was evaluated in four women with an enterocele as the only path ology. Three women had a large enterocele after earlier hysterectomy a nd one young woman had a congenital enterocele. The technique consists of vaporizing the peritoneum of the enterocele; however, it is import ant first to delineate carefully the lesion's circumference because of the strong retraction during vaporization. Subsequently, a posterior culdotomy is performed taking care to restore the horizontal position of the upper vaginal axis by shortening the uterosacral ligaments, whi ch are sutured together on the midline and the posterior vaginal wall. The CO2 laser has the advantage that the superficial vaporization it produces is rapid (<5 min), safe, and completely bloodless. The shrink ing during vaporization facilitates subsequent repair. Postoperative m orbidity and recovery were uneventful for all patients. The CO2 laser seems to have some advantages over sharp endoscopic resection of enter oceles. The relative simplicity of technique and the low postoperative morbidity suggest that endoscopy could become routine in pelvic floor surgery, improving diagnosis and complementing vaginal surgery while avoiding laparotomy.