Robotic transabdominal cerclage: a case series illustrating costs

Abstract

The incidence of cervical insufficiency is 0.1-1% of all pregnancies and 8% of second trimester losses. After failed vaginal cerclages or in patients with amputated or congenitally abnormal cervices, transabdominal cerclages may be performed. Recent advances allow for use of the da Vinci robot to perform transabdominal cerclages. This case series presents three cases of robotically placed cerclages, performed prior to pregnancy. All patients had experienced prior second trimester losses. Two of the three had previously failed vaginal cerclage placement. All patients were discharged home the same day with minimal intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain. Though, historically, robotic surgeries are more expensive, the total hospital costs for the three robotic cerclages were similar to the open abdominal approach performed at the same institution. These cases suggest robotically placed cerclage as a viable and less invasive alternative to the traditional transabdominal cerclages.

Keywords: Preterm delivery; Robotics; Transabdominal cerclage.