From 3D to 2D-4K laparoscopic sacral colpopexy: are we addicted to technology?

Objective: A study analyzing perioperative outcomes related to a sudden switch from 3D to 2D-4K technology for laparoscopic sacral colpopexy by expert pelvic surgeons: are we addicted to technology?

Material and methods: After a sudden transition from 3D to 2D-4K laparoscopic technology, a total of 115 consecutive pelvic prolapse patients who underwent sacral colpopexy from June 2020 to September 2021 were retrospectively assessed from our database. Perioperative parameters, operative times (OT), and intraoperative difficulty scales were assessed. One-year follow-ups were analyzed for the study. Primary endpoints were OT; secondary endpoint was the evaluation of complications linked to this procedure.

Results: We found statistical differences in OT and intraoperative difficulty scales between medians of the last 3D procedures and the first ten 2D-4K surgeries, without differences between operators. Only after more than 20 surgeries, we observed no significant differences between 3D and 2D-4K sacral colpopexy. We observed no statistical differences in terms of anatomic failure, PGI-I, and intra-postoperative complications.

Conclusion: The transition of urogynecology from an exclusive vaginal approach to 2D-3D-4K laparoscopy significantly increased the level of technology necessary for surgical treatment of prolapse. This could, as a result, lead to pelvic surgeons becoming increasingly dependent on technology.