Efficacy of the Mercedes-Benz closure technique for vaginal reconstruction in female robot-assisted radical cystectomy.
Journal:
Asian journal of endoscopic surgery
Published Date:
Jul 17, 2022
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Vaginal reconstruction using the posterior vaginal wall is required following radical cystectomy in women with resection of the uterus, adnexa, and anterior vaginal wall. Roll closure and clamshell closure are two widely known techniques. Of these, clamshell closure is recommended because roll closure has a high likelihood of breakdown or a resultant canal that is too narrow for sexual intercourse. In clamshell closure, however, folding the posterior vaginal wall anteriorly can be difficult. Therefore, we devised Mercedes-Benz closure, in which the vaginal wall is sutured from three directions to form a Mercedes-Benz shape, for anastomosis without tension on the vaginal wall. The present study was performed to investigate the efficacy of this alternative surgical technique for vaginal reconstruction.