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BackTable / OBGYN / Podcast / Episode #79
Laparoscopy in Pregnancy: Key Considerations for Surgeons
with Dr. Craig Sobolewski
What surgical techniques and safety measures are important to consider when operating in a pregnant patient? In this episode of the BackTable OBGYN podcast, Dr. Craig Sobolewski, a minimally invasive GYN surgeon at Duke, speaks with host Dr. Mark Hoffman about the intricacies of laparoscopic surgery in pregnant patients.
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BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2025, March 11). Ep. 79 – Laparoscopy in Pregnancy: Key Considerations for Surgeons [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
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Podcast Contributors
Synopsis
The surgeons delve into the critical importance of understanding anatomy and ensuring proper exposure during surgeries, particularly the challenges and techniques for operating during pregnancy. Key discussions include the use of liver retractors, the management of symptomatic ovarian cysts, and the methods for performing and evaluating abdominal cerclages. They also explore the physiological changes in pregnant patients and the adjustments needed for anesthesia, laparoscopic entry, pressures during surgery, and pre/post-operative care.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
07:20 - Laparoscopy in Pregnant Patients
11:23 - Common Surgeries During Pregnancy
15:56 - Laparoscopic Surgery Techniques
24:04 - Physiologic Changes in Pregnancy
27:33 - Access Methods and Pressure Considerations
28:53 - Managing Torsion and Cysts in Pregnancy
30:21 - Energy Use and Safety in Pregnant Patients
31:38 - Preoperative and Postoperative Care
34:15 - Cerclage Procedures and Counseling
47:46 - Professional Reflections and Conclusions
Transcript Preview
[Dr. Craig Sobolewski]
The obvious, well, perhaps not obvious, but the most common indications from a gynecologic perspective, they're going to be symptomatic ovarian cysts and torsion. Most other gynecologic indications for at least elective surgical intervention are things that we would typically watch during pregnancy. Fibroids, endometriosis, the kinds of common, benign, surgically-treated gynecologic entities are not something that we're going to deal with during pregnancy and can safely wait until afterwards. Symptomatic cysts, and the key word there should be symptomatic, and then if there's any concern about torsion.
The Materials available on BackTable are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.
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