APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING INTRASTROMALABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY AS BLOODLESS NERVE SPARING METHOD

摘要

An apparatus and procedure for defining the area for a thermo-electric knife to perform a bloodless intrastromal abdominal hysterectomy procedure while minimizing damage to the pericervical ring. The apparatus is configured to be inserted into the center cavity of the cervix and uterus to engage the uterine wall. The apparatus comprises an elongate member having a first end configured to extend into the center cavity of the uterus and cervix, and a thermo-electric knife guide plate secured concentrically to the elongate member proximal to the second end of the member to define the area for dissection of connective tissue between the cervix and the pericervical ring by a thermo-electric knife. A barb is secured to the elongate member between the first end and the guide plate, and configured to engage the uterine wall so that upon removal of the apparatus when in use the barb becomes attached to the uterus sufficient to remove the uterus and cervix through the abdomen. At least one aperture in the guide plate is configured to permit the passage therethrough of a centering tube when in use, whereby the apparatus is configured to stabilize the thermo-electric knife during intrastromal abdominal hysterectomy procedure.