Performance of SYMMCORA® vs. V-Loc® Suture Material in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy

Number of patients with early complications

Documented early complications include Hemoglobin drop and Fever more than 38°C within 48 hours

Time frame: at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery)

Number of patients with complications over the study period

Documented complications include Vaginal cuff infection, Vaginal cuff dehiscence (Defined as a visually confirmed partial or complete opening of the vaginal stump with or without visceral organ herniation), Vaginal cuff granulation formation, Pelvic Abscess Formation, Hematoma, Vaginal spotting (defined as bloody vaginal discharge that did not require extraordinary procedures or medication and disappeared spontaneously. (Days of postoperative bleeding, Number of pads / tampons used), Vaginal bleeding (Defined as postoperative vaginal stump bleeding that required additional stump suture to stop bleeding. (Days of postoperative bleeding, number of pads / tampons used), Urinary tract infection, Bladder injury, Ureter injury, Bowel obstruction, Ileus, Cystitis and Pelvic Adhesions.

Time frame: at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery), 6-8 weeks postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively

Number of patients with device deficiencies over the study period

Documented device deficiencies include Suture rupture, Knots in the thread, Connection between needle and thread not intact and Disconnection of the anchor from the thread

Time frame: intraoperatively, at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery), 6-8 weeks postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively

Patient satisfaction (VAS 0-100) over time

The patient's self assessment of her satisfaction with the surgery. This parameter will be noted using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), represented by a line 10 cm of length, which states "0" at one end representing "low" and "100" at the opposite end representing "high". The value is measured in \[mm\] with a ruler and documented in whole numbers.

Time frame: at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery), 6-8 weeks postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively

Progress of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) compared to baseline

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a 19-item, self-report measure of female sexual function that provides scores on overall levels of sexual function as well as the primary components of sexual function in women, including sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, and satisfaction. The 19 items of the FSFI use a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1-5 with higher scores indicating greater levels of sexual functioning on the respective item. (0 points in some cases for items that are not applicable). To score the measure, the sum of each domain score is first multiplied by a domain factor ratio (0.6 for desire; 0.3 for arousal and lubrication; 0.4 for orgasm, satisfaction and pain) in order to place all domain totals on a more comparable scale, and then subsequently summed to derive a total FSFI score. The domain scores range from 1.2 - 6, the overall score ranges from 7.2 - 36.

Time frame: Preoperatively (baseline), at follow-up visits 6-8 weeks postoperatively and 6 months postoperatively

Overall operation time

From the first cut to the end of the surgery

Time frame: intraoperatively

Cost of treatment

Calculation using the length of hospitalization (days until discharge), suturing time, suture costs and needed transfusions)

Time frame: at discharge (approximately 10 days after surgery)

Length of postoperative hospital stay

calculated by subtracting the surgery date from the date of discharge

Time frame: at discharge (approximately 10 days after surgery)

Progress of Patient's abdominal pain (VAS 0-100) compared to baseline

The patient's self assessment of her abdominal pain. This parameter will be noted using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), represented by a line 10 cm of length, which states "0" at one end representing "no pain" and "100" at the opposite end representing "heavy pain". The value is measured in \[mm\] with a ruler and documented in whole numbers

Time frame: preoperatively (baseline) and at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery), 6-8 weeks postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively

Progress of Patient's pelvic pain (VAS 0-100) compared to baseline

The patient's self assessment of her pelvic pain. This parameter will be noted using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), represented by a line 10 cm of length, which states "0" at one end representing "no pain" and "100" at the opposite end representing "heavy pain". The value is measured in \[mm\] with a ruler and documented in whole numbers

Time frame: preoperatively (baseline) and at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery), 6-8 weeks postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively

Progress of Patient's lumbar pain (VAS 0-100) compared to baseline

The patient's self assessment of her lumbar pain. This parameter will be noted using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), represented by a line 10 cm of length, which states "0" at one end representing "no pain" and "100" at the opposite end representing "heavy pain". The value is measured in \[mm\] with a ruler and documented in whole numbers

Time frame: preoperatively (baseline) and at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery), 6-8 weeks postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively

Progress of General Health Status compared to baseline

The patient's self assessment of her general health status. Health status is based on assessment of the patient to the question, "Would you say your health in general is...:" The options are excellent / very good / good / fair / poor

Time frame: preoperatively (baseline) and at discharge (up to 10 days after surgery), 6-8 weeks postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively

Patient assessment of postoperative Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is defined by genital pain that can be experienced before, during, or after intercourse. The patient answers with yes or no.

Time frame: at both follow-up visits (6-8 weeks postoperatively and 6 months postoperatively)

Assessment of the handling of the barbed suture (SYMMCORA®)

Assessment of the handling of the unidirectional barbed suture (SYMMCORA®) intra-operatively including eleven different dimensions (pliability, Pass-through, traumaticity, anchoring capacity, safety of closure, locking system size, locking system deployment, locking system unbarbed area, locking system safety of closure, atraumaticity, wound closure approximation) and an overall impression with 5 evaluations levels (excellent, very good, good, satisfied, poor).

Time frame: intraoperatively

Assessment of the handling of the barbed suture (SYMMCORA®) compared to conventional suture

Assessment of the handling of the barbed suture (SYMMCORA®) compared to conventional suture regarding degree of difficulties and the ease of handling. (Likert Scale: strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, strongly disagree).

Time frame: intraoperatively

Assessment of the handling of the barbed suture (SYMMCORA®) compared to barbed suture (V-Loc)

Assessment of the barbed suture (SYMMCORA®) compared to barbed suture (V-Loc®) regarding smoothness, suppleness, traumaticity of the thread, the handling, the opening of the package and the overall opinion (Likert Scale: worse, equal, better).

Time frame: intraoperatively