New Procedure Reduces Pelvic Pain

A clinical study has demonstrated that a new laparoscopic surgical procedure significantly reduces pelvic pain in women caused by a retroverted or tipped uterus.

A retroverted uterus is a normal anatomic variant in 20-30% of U.S. women. Within this patient population, 7-10% have symptoms of pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods), or dyspareunia (painful intercourse) severe enough to seek treatment. The study involved 62 women, average age 29, with a retroverted uterus and chronic pain lasting six months or more, and moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhea. Each patient underwent the new procedure (alone or in combination with other laparoscopic procedures) and was monitored for 12 months. At 12 months after surgery, the mean scores for pelvic pain decreased by more than 50%, a significant change in this difficult-to-treat patient population.

The procedure, called UPLIFT (uterine positioning by ligament investment fixation and truncation), shortens and strengthens the round ligaments to reposition a tipped uterus to a normal position. UPLIFT is performed using a minimally invasive interventional laparoscopic technique with small incisions, and patients typically leave the hospital on the day of surgery. Women who undergo the procedure can still become pregnant, and full-term pregnancies with normal vaginal delivery have been documented. The UPLIFT procedure uses the Metra PS surgical response procedure kit of Inlet Medical (Eden Prairie, MN, USA; www.inletmedical.com), where Dr. James E. Carter introduced the procedure.

"The study results confirm earlier findings that our products play an important role in the successful laparoscopic surgical treatment of women who suffer severe pain related to a tipped uterus,” observed Lee Jones, president and CEO of Inlet Medical. The findings were reported in the August 2005 issue of The Journal of Reproductive Medicine.






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