Uterus Resources
Anatomy
From Very Well Health.com: Anatomy of the Uterus
Uterine Surgery
Need a refresher on uterine surgeries? Hysterectomy, prolapse repair, polyp and cyst removal, myomectomy, and so many other procedures. The following sites provide a general overview.
News
Anatomy
A major endometriosis study came out in Feb. 2024 in the journal Nature Medicine: Surge in endometriosis research after decades of underfunding could herald new era for women’s health. Unfortunately, even an abstract of this paper is not available except by subscription or purchase, but the following two articles in the popular press discuss some of the same research:
- Five Latest Advancements in Endometriosis Research. (May 2023) Although endometriosis affects some 190 million women and girls around the world, “patients suffer an average delay of 8 years for diagnosis, which can only be done reliably with surgery,” writes the author, Roohi Mariam Peter in Labiotech. She explains that research on endometriosis has been chronically underfunded, but progress is being made in the wake of studies about the complexity of the gut microbiome, new drugs, use of medical cannabis, pelvic floor therapy, and discovery of a possible correlation between endometriosis and other inflammatory diseases. Read article . . .
- ‘It’s really only the beginning’: are we on the cusp of a breakthrough in endometriosis? (August 2023) The Guardian. “In the space of a few months,” writes Gabrielle Jackson, “from gatherings in Edinburgh and Washington DC, labs in Sydney and Japan, there is a sense that new ideas are bubbling to the surface, including a fundamental rethinking of endometriosis not as a disease of the pelvis, but rather, ‘a whole-body disease.’” Read article . . .
Fibroids
Uterus Transplantation
- The New Science of the Womb. In this February 2024 article in The New Republic, author Anna Louie Sussman touches on the pioneering work done on uterine transplants in Sweden in 2012-13, notes the current state of the procedure, and alludes to the political implications of reproductive rights. Noting that politicians “and, quite frankly the rest of us,” know shockingly little about these organs from whence we all sprang, she reviews three recently released books that “unpack the history of uterine misunderstanding, medical mysteries, and misogyny to teach us more about this extraordinary organ.” Read article . . .
- World’s first childbirth following a uterus transplantation achieved solely by robot-assisted surgery. “For the first time worldwide, in yet another breakthrough by the world-leading research team at the University of Gothenburg,” writes the author, Lily Ramsey, LLM, “a child has been born following a uterus transplantation achieved solely by robot-assisted surgery on both donor and recipient.” This article appeared in the May 2023 Medical Life Sciences News. Read article . . .
- Uterus transplant recipient delivers healthy baby. In a July 2023 story from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A woman born with congenital absence of the uterus “defied the odds and experienced what was once thought to be medically impossible when she gave birth to a son at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Hospital through the gift of uterus transplantation,” the author writes. “[The mother] became the first patient to give birth via uterus transplant outside of a clinical trial.” Read article . . .
Photo by WS Studio 1985 on Adobe Stock
Videos
Diagnostic Laparoscopy Step by Step.
A step-by-step description of a diagnostic laparoscopy and excision of peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis, from the Chelsea Centre for Minimally Invasive Gynaecology, London, UK.
Laparoscopic Excision of Endometriosis.
This video emonstrates complete excision of endometrosis in a variety of challenging situations. From Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA.
Robotic Hysterectomy at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital.
Step-by-step description during this procedure at UnityPoint Health, Cedar Rapids, IA.
In The Spotlight: Victor McGaughey
Credentials
DNP, APRN, AGNP-C, CWCA, CCRN
Student Status
Current student in NIFA’s RNFA program
City & State
Hernando, FL
Where did you get your RN degree?
Taylor College, Ocala, FL
How did you come to choose perioperative nursing?
I began taking care of postoperative surgical and orthopedic patients in 2015. I really enjoyed that specialty and wanted to get more involved in that field. After getting some critical care background, I transferred to the recovery room. Working in the perioperative setting was very fulfilling so I continued on to get a doctorate in nursing, nurse practitioner license, and now my RNFA so I can care for surgical patients full circle.
What is the most unique, funny, or scary moment you’ve ever seen at the table?
The funniest moment for me so far is my first time scrubbing in to a case. After getting help to get the things I needed, I figured it would be simple. I had trouble getting the gown on, the surgeon tried to help, had to get a new gown, then my sleeve got stuck in front at my fingers, when I got my sterile gloves on I had to finish the rest before fixing my gloves. So I had to stand with what appeared like broken fingers while the circulator fastened my gown.
What is one technique or RNFA trick you’ve learned from NIFA that you will use for life?
Ask for help, use my perioperative team, and never stop learning. Attending the workshop is only the beginning. With experience and feedback, NIFA has taught me that no single book or resource has all the information I need.
How do you feel having your RNFA will impact your life/career?
With the addition of my RNFA, I will be able to see patients in the office, preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively. This will give me the ability to care for my patients at any point of their surgical care.
Jobs Front
Click here for the RNFA job postings we’ve collected for you this month.
NIFA – Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
Practice Resources
Here are several of the most-in-demand sites for our students, prospective students and grads:
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIFA. NIFA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of statements made by our contributors and does not accept any liability for error or omission. It is the responsibility of all perioperative personnel to work within and adhere to their facility bylaws and individual scope of practice.
March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month, which got us to thinking about uterine surgery in general. There have been some important developments in endometriosis research and uterine surgery lately, so this month we’re bringing you news and resources on those topics.