Reconsideration of Sharp Dissection in Gynecological Surgery

In surgical fields, sharp dissection is a basic surgical technique, and the prognosis and oncological outcomes are known to be affected by the technique of dissection. Even in gynecologic surgery, we believe that the basic surgical technique is sharp dissection. We herein present our technique and discuss its significance. Sharp dissection should entail the removal of a single thin line between the residual tissue and the excised tissue. If this line becomes multiple or thicker, it is not sharp dissection but blunt dissection. The accumulation of this thin line of sharp dissection can form surgical layers. What is important is moderate tissue tension and how to use monopolar. One can sharply cut the loose connective tissue assisted by moderate tissue tension. With regard to the use of monopolar, it is essential that it not be applied directly to the tissue, but rather be used with or without touching the tissue. Inadvertent blunt dissection should be minimized, as most surgical procedures can be performed with sharp dissection. We usually perform sharp dissection for open surgery as well as minimally invasive surgery. We obstetricians and gynecologists should reconsider the significance of sharp dissection and practice it in gynecological surgery.