Obviously, the anatomy has remained unchanged, but safety has been enhanced through the creation of a strategic approach for dealing with this unique surgical dilemma. For this current issue of the Master Class in Gynecologic Surgery, I have called upon Dr. Resad Pasic, who was my vice president during my tenure as president of the AAGL and who is now the immediate past president of that organization. Dr. Pasic is professor of obstetrics and gynecology, the director of the section of operative gynecologic endoscopy, and a codirector of the fellowship in laparoscopy and minimally invasive surgery at the department of ob.gyn. and women's health at the University of Louisville (Ky.).
As the director of the postgraduate course on advanced laparoscopic anatomy, dissection, and reparative pelvic surgery on unembalmed female cadavers, Dr. Pasic's expertise in anatomy and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery makes him an excellent candidate to lead the discussion of the systematic approach to the obliterated cul-de-sac and excision of rectovaginal endometriosis.
Joining Dr. Pasic as coauthors for this Master Class are Dr. Jessica A. Shepherd and Dr. Joseph L. Hudgens, the current clinical fellows in the division of gynecologic endoscopy at the University of Louisville.
Dr. Shepherd obtained her medical degree from Ross University in Roseau, Dominica, in 2005 and then completed her internship and residency at Drexel University in Philadelphia. In addition to her current involvement as a fellow in gynecologic endoscopy, Dr. Shepherd is also completing her MBA at the University of Louisville. She is currently a member of the AAGL and serves on the ad hoc review committee for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
Dr. Hudgens obtained his medical degree from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, in 2005. He completed his residency training in ob.gyn. at the University of Louisville in 2009. Dr. Hudgens recently completed a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecology in 2010 and has joined the Center for Women's Health at Owensboro Medical Health System in Owensboro, Ky. Dr. Hudgens also is currently an active member of the AAGL and serves as a member of the ad hoc review committee for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.