Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) versus total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH): an implementation study in 1,952 patients with an analysis of risk factors for conversion to laparotomy and complications, and of procedure-specific re-operations

Efficacy of focused ultrasound ablation surgery in patients with adenomyosis and coexisting pelvic adhesions

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of focused ultrasound ablation surgery (FUAS) in treating patients with adenomyosis and coexisting pelvic adhesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 396 patients diagnosed with adenomyosis and who underwent FUAS between January 2014 and December 2022 were enrolled. Pelvic adhesions were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the patients were categorized into either adhesive group or non-adhesive group. The aim was to investigate the comparative efficacy between the two groups.

RESULTS

Among the 396 patients, pelvic adhesions were detected in 123 (31.06%) women. Compared to the non-adhesive group, patients in the adhesive group exhibited a higher preoperative dysmenorrhea score (7 vs. 6, p  < 0.001), a lower short-term clinical success rate (74.80% vs. 84.62%, p = 0.025), and a higher long-term cumulative recurrence rate (log-rank p = 0.009). The adhesive group exhibited a high incidence of anal discomfort during the procedure compared to the non-adhesive group (18.70% vs. 7.69%, p = 0.002). Additionally, patients with severe adhesion demonstrated a lower ratio of non-perfused volume ratio (NPVR) (38.81% vs. 46.58%, p = 0.009). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis revealed that pelvic adhesion independently increased the risk of dysmenorrhea (OR = 4.730, 95%CI: 2.026-11.044, p < 0.001), while severe pelvic adhesion was identified as an independent risk factor for NPVR (OR = 2.226, 95%CI: 1.181-4.196, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

The preoperative assessment of pelvic adhesions plays a crucial role in predicting intraoperative adverse events of FUAS in patients with adenomyosis, as well as determining both short-term and long-term efficacy, thereby providing valuable guidance for the development of comprehensive treatment.

Outcomes of Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Single-Surgeon Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

Introduction Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) has emerged as a preferred surgical approach for managing various benign and premalignant gynecological conditions. It offers significant advantages over traditional hysterectomy techniques, including reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and lower complication rates. However, its adoption varies across healthcare settings, with challenges such as a steep learning curve and technical difficulties in certain patient populations. This study presents a single surgeon's experience with TLH in a tertiary care center in North India, focusing on perioperative outcomes, complications, and surgical efficiency. Methods This retrospective observational study analyzed 150 patients who underwent TLH between January 2022 and December 2024. Data were collected from hospital records, including demographic details, surgical indications, intraoperative findings, perioperative outcomes, and complications. The surgical technique involved a standardized laparoscopic approach, with energy sources like LigaSure™ (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) and harmonic probes. Statistical analysis included descriptive measures, with continuous variables presented as means and categorical variables as frequencies. Results The mean age of the patients was 50.04 ± 7.42 years, with a mean BMI of 27.77 ± 7.05. The most common indications for TLH were adenomyosis in 39 (26%), leiomyoma in 31 (20.67%), and combined leiomyoma with adenomyosis in 31 (20.67%). The mean operative time was 39 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 25 mL. Perioperative complications were minimal, with only one (0.67%) case each of ureteric stricture, bowel injury, bladder injury, and conversion to laparotomy. ICU admission was required in two (1.33%) cases, while postoperative urinary tract infections occurred in two (1.33%). The mean hospital stay was 2.09 days, and six (4%) patients required readmission. Conclusion This study highlights the safety, efficiency, and favorable perioperative outcomes of TLH in a tertiary care setting. The low complication rates, short hospital stays, and minimal blood loss reinforce TLH as a viable alternative to conventional hysterectomy methods. While the study benefits from a large sample size and single-surgeon consistency, its retrospective design and single-center scope are limitations. Future multi-center studies with long-term follow-up are recommended to validate these findings and explore the role of robotic-assisted hysterectomy in improving surgical outcomes.

Prevalence of adenomyosis in women with subfertility: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of adenomyosis in women with subfertility.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and Web of Science Core Collection from database inception to October 2022. The included studies evaluated the prevalence of adenomyosis in women with subfertility, with or without endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids. Secondary analyses were conducted to identify variation in the prevalence of isolated adenomyosis according to geographical location, diagnostic modality, diagnostic criteria, type of ultrasound, ultrasound features of adenomyosis and the use of assisted reproductive technology.

RESULTS

Among 21 longitudinal studies evaluating 25 600 women, the overall pooled prevalence of isolated adenomyosis was 10% (95% CI, 6-15%) (I2  = 99.1%; tau2  = 0.12). The pooled prevalence was 1% (95% CI, 0-4%) for adenomyosis with concurrent fibroids (eight studies; I2  = 95.8%; tau2  = 0.03), 6% (95% CI, 3-11%) for adenomyosis with concurrent endometriosis (18 studies; I2  = 98.6%; tau2  = 0.12) and 7% (95% CI, 2-13%) for adenomyosis with concurrent endometriosis and/or fibroids (nine studies; I2  = 98.3%; tau2  = 0.09). The prevalence of isolated adenomyosis varied substantially according to geographical location, with Australia exhibiting the highest pooled prevalence of adenomyosis (19% (95% CI, 12-27%)), which was significantly higher compared with that in Asia (5% (95% CI, 1-12%)). The pooled prevalence of isolated adenomyosis diagnosed using a combination of direct and indirect ultrasound features was 11% (95% CI, 7-16%), whereas it was 0.45% (95% CI, 0-1%) in the study in which only an indirect feature was used as the diagnostic criterion.

CONCLUSION

One in 10 women with subfertility have a diagnosis of isolated adenomyosis. The prevalence of adenomyosis varies according to the presence of concurrent endometriosis and/or fibroids. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Risk Assessment Model for Complications in Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: A Pilot Study

Objective: To estimate the rate of intra-operative and postoperative complications, and to define the risk of 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo > 2) according to the presence of one of 10 different variables of minimally invasive (MI) hysterectomy; and then to create a risk assessment model easily applicable in clinical practice. Methods: A single center single arm retrolective study. Data of consecutive patients who have undergone MI hysterectomy for gynaecologic disorders between May 2018 and April 2021 were analyzed. Perioperative surgical outcomes, occurrence of intra- and postoperative complications, and readmissions within 30 days from surgery were registered. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with major postoperative complications. Results: Over the study period, 445 patients were included in the study. The majority of patients developed a minor event, while major complications (grade III) were required in 14 patients. None of the patients showed a grade IV or V complication. Univariate analysis was performed on patients who had developed intra- or postoperative complications from those who did not experience complications. Body mass index (BMI) (p-value 0.045) and surgeon’s experience (p-value 0.015) were found to be associated with a different surgery time. Regarding major postoperative complications, a statistically significant association was found for the variables: BMI (p-value 0.006), previous abdominal surgery (p-value 0.015), and surgeon’s experience (p-value 0.035) in the univariate analysis. Also in the multivariate analysis, the risk of major postoperative complications was higher in these three different variables. BMI, previous surgery, and surgeon’s experience were inserted in a reproducible risk assessment model in order to stratify the risk of major postoperative complications. Conclusions: We proposed a risk assessment model including factors not previously considered in the literature: the standardization of the surgical technique, the surgeon’s experience, the best MI approach (laparoscopy or robot-assisted), and previous abdominal surgery are crucial tools to consider. Further prospective studies with a larger population sample are needed to validate these preliminary evaluations for patients undergoing MI hysterectomy.

Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and CA125 Level as a Combined Biomarker for Diagnosing Endometriosis and Predicting Pelvic Adhesion Severity

Adhesion is a significant biological characteristic of endometriosis, and accurate evaluation of the pelvic adhesion is necessary for surgical treatment. Serum CA125 is yet the most common used biomarker in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with endometriosis despite of its high false-positive rate and low specificity. Herein, we aimed to examine the diagnostic value of the combination of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and CA125 for patients with different stages of endometriosis and their correlations with pelvic adhesion. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and blood count parameters of patients with both endometriosis and other benign ovarian tumors. The mean level of CA125, the PLR and the combined marker (the CA125 level multiplied by the PLR) in the EMs group were significantly higher than those in the Cyst group (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis was used to compare the diagnostic values of serum PLR, CA125, and the combined marker in ovarian endometriosis. The cut-off value of the PLR was 176.835, with 28.3% sensitivity and 96.9% specificity. The cut-off value of CA125 was 31.67 U/mL, with 84.1% sensitivity and 87.4% specificity. The cut-off value of the combined marker was 3894.97, with 83.4% sensitivity and 95.8% specificity. It was found that the severity of adhesion in endometriosis was positively correlated with the PLR (r = 0.286, P < 0.01), CA125 (r = 0.276, P < 0.01), and combined marker (r = 0.369, P < 0.01). The combined marker showed the highest AUC value (0.751, 95% CI: 0.666–0.837), with a sensitivity of 56.0% and a specificity of 89.6%, and the cut-off value was 9056.94. Besides, the levels of CA125, PLR, and their combination were significantly elevated in patients with endometriosis. The combined marker was not only positively correlated with pelvic adhesion but also showed a greater diagnostic value and specificity than CA125 alone. These findings indicate that the combined marker may be a potential inflammatory biomarker playing an important role in the diagnosis and assessment of adhesion in endometriosis.

Personalising the risk of conversion from laparoscopic to open hysterectomy in benign conditions: Development and external validation of risk prediction models

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate novel prediction models to personalise the risk of conversion from laparoscopic to open hysterectomy in benign conditions.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS

English NHS Hospitals between 2011 and 2018.

POPULATION

68 752 women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign conditions.

METHODS

We developed two multivariable logistic models using readily available clinical information, one for the pre-operative setting and another for operative decision-making using additional surgical information, using 2011-2016 data in five regions (24 806 women). We validated them (a) temporally in the same regions using 2017-2018 data (12 438 women); (b) geographically in the same time-period using data from three different regions (22 024 women); and (c) temporally and geographically using 2017-2018 data in three different regions (9484 women).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Conversion from laparoscopic to open hysterectomy.

RESULTS

Conversions occurred in 6.8% (1687/24 806) of hysterectomies in the development group, and in 5.5% (681/12 438) in the temporal, 5.9% (1297/22 204) in the geographical and 5.2% (488/9484) in the temporal and geographical validation groups. In the development cohort, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for the pre-operative and operative models were 0.65 and 0.67, respectively. In the validation cohorts the corresponding values were 0.65 and 0.66 (temporal), 0.66 and 0.68 (geographical) and 0.65 and 0.68 (temporal and geographical), respectively. Factors predictive of conversion included age, Asian ethnicity, obesity, fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis and adhesions. Adhesions were the most predictive (odds ratio 2.54, 95% confidence interval 2.22-2.90).

CONCLUSION

The models for predicting conversions showed acceptable performance and transferability.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Novel tool to personalise the risk of conversion from laparoscopic to open hysterectomy in benign conditions.

Surgical morbidity of total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease: Predictors of major postoperative complications

OBJECTIVE

To estimate rate of perioperative complications and to define risk factors of 30-day major (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 2) postoperative complications of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for benign disease.

STUDY DESIGN

An uncontrolled single-center single-arm retrospective study. Data of consecutive patients who have undergone TLH for pathologically confirmed benign disease between January 2000 and December 2019 have been analyzed. Perioperative surgical outcomes, occurrence of postoperative complications, readmissions, and reoperations within 30 days from surgery were registered. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with major (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 2) postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Over the study period 3090 patients were included in the study. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 54 (1.7%) cases. Mean operative time for TLH was 87.7 (±1.7) minutes while mean estimated blood loss was 119.5 (+7.4) mL. Overall, postoperative complications were registered in 430 (13.9%) patients, and major events were observed in 208 (6.7%) of the cases. Same-hospital readmissions and reoperations within 30-day from surgery occurred in 78 (2.5%) and 28 (0.9%) patients, respectively. At multivariable analysis, endometriosis (odds ratio: 3.51, 95%CI:1.54-8.30, p = 0.02), the need for conversion to open surgery (odds ratio: 1.26, 98%CI:1.03-12.64, p < 0.001), and the occurrence of any intraoperative complication (odds ratio: 3.10, 95%CI: 1.45-21.61, p < 0.001) were found as independent risk factors for major postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Total hysterectomy performed via laparoscopy is associated with acceptable major postoperative complications rate. A huge effort should be made to minimize the occurrence of intraoperative complications and the need for conversion to open surgery. Patients undergoing TLH for endometriosis should be counselled about the increased risk of major postoperative events.

Outcomes of Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Single-Surgeon Experience of Initial 50 Cases

Introduction

In this study, we reported a single surgeon experience of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) in terms of intraoperative and early postoperative outcomes and complications. In addition, we compared our results with published literature for a reevaluation of complications and outcomes.

Material and methods

This present prospective study was conducted on 50 patients who underwent TLH due to benign causes. Patients diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), uterine fibroids, and post-menopausal bleeding (PMB) were included in this analysis. Patients were discharged after 24 hours of surgery if there were considered fit for discharge. The patients' age, co-morbidities, size of the uterus, additional procedure along with TLH, and postoperative complications were collected and analyzed. The follow-up period was three months, done on the tenth day after surgery, the thirtieth day, and then at three months.

Results

The mean age of our patients was 46.42±5.01 years. The major indication of hysterectomy was fibroids diagnosed in 27 (54.0%) patients and AUB in 18 (36.0%) patients. Out of 50, 10 (20.0%) patients had a previous cesarean section, and 4 (8.0%) had a bilateral tubal ligation (BTL). Mean surgery duration was 124.26±44.74 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 2.18±0.39 days. Total complications occurred in five (10.0%) patients, ureteric injury in one (2.0%) patient, port-site infections in 2 (4.0%), and vault infections in 2 (4.0%) patients.

Conclusion

TLH is a safe procedure and can be performed with minimal complications in patients with benign uterine etiology.

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy compared with second-generation endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding: the HEALTH RCT

BACKGROUND

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common problem that affects many British women. When initial medical treatment is unsuccessful, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends surgical options such as endometrial ablation (EA) or hysterectomy. Although clinically and economically more effective than EA, total hysterectomy necessitates a longer hospital stay and is associated with slower recovery and a higher risk of complications. Improvements in endoscopic equipment and training have made laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LASH) accessible to most gynaecologists. This operation could preserve the advantages of total hysterectomy and reduce the risk of complications.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of LASH with second-generation EA in women with HMB.

DESIGN

A parallel-group, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Allocation was by remote web-based randomisation (1 : 1 ratio). Surgeons and participants were not blinded to the allocated procedure.

SETTING

Thirty-one UK secondary and tertiary hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Women aged < 50 years with HMB. Exclusion criteria included plans to conceive; endometrial atypia; abnormal cytology; uterine cavity size > 11 cm; any fibroids > 3 cm; contraindications to laparoscopic surgery; previous EA; and inability to give informed consent or complete trial paperwork.

INTERVENTIONS

LASH compared with second-generation EA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Co-primary clinical outcome measures were (1) patient satisfaction and (2) Menorrhagia Multi-Attribute Quality-of-Life Scale (MMAS) score at 15 months post randomisation. The primary economic outcome was incremental cost (NHS perspective) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained.

RESULTS

A total of 330 participants were randomised to each group (total n = 660). Women randomised to LASH were more likely to be satisfied with their treatment than those randomised to EA (97.1% vs. 87.1%) [adjusted difference in proportions 0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 0.15; adjusted odds ratio (OR) from ordinal logistic regression (OLR) 2.53, 95% CI 1.83 to 3.48; p < 0.001]. Women randomised to LASH were also more likely to have the best possible MMAS score of 100 (68.7% vs. 54.5%) (adjusted difference in proportions 0.13, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.23; adjusted OR from OLR 1.87, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.67; p = 0.001). Serious adverse event rates were low and similar in both groups (4.5% vs. 3.6%). There was a significant difference in adjusted mean costs between LASH (£2886) and EA (£1282) at 15 months, but no significant difference in QALYs. Based on an extrapolation of expected differences in cost and QALYs out to 10 years, LASH cost an additional £1362 for an average QALY gain of 0.11, equating to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £12,314 per QALY. Probabilities of cost-effectiveness were 53%, 71% and 80% at cost-effectiveness thresholds of £13,000, £20,000 and £30,000 per QALY gained, respectively.

LIMITATIONS

Follow-up data beyond 15 months post randomisation are not available to inform cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

LASH is superior to EA in terms of clinical effectiveness. EA is less costly in the short term, but expected higher retreatment rates mean that LASH could be considered cost-effective by 10 years post procedure.

FUTURE WORK

Retreatment rates, satisfaction and quality-of-life scores at 10-year follow-up will help to inform long-term cost-effectiveness.

TRIAI REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN49013893.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 53. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Management of uterine adenomyosis: current trends and uterine artery embolization as a potential alternative to hysterectomy

Adenomyosis is a challenging clinical condition that is commonly being diagnosed in women of reproductive age. To date, many aspects of the disease have not been fully understood, making management increasingly difficult. Over time, minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment methods have developed as more women desire uterine preservation for future fertility or to avoid major surgery. Several uterine-sparing treatment options are now available, including medication, hysteroscopic resection or ablation, conservative surgical methods, and high-intensity focused ultrasound each with its own risks and benefits. Uterine artery embolization is an established treatment option for uterine fibroids and has recently gained ground as a safe and cost-effective method for treatment of uterine adenomyosis with promising results. In this review, we discuss current trends in the management of uterine adenomyosis with a special focus on uterine artery embolization as an alternative to hysterectomy.

Total Versus Subtotal Hysterectomy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Intraoperative Outcomes and Postoperative Short-term Events

PURPOSE

The benefits and disadvantages of cervical extraction during hysterectomy are unclear in the literature. We intended to compare total (TH) with subtotal or supracervical (SH) hysterectomy regarding intraoperative and postoperative outcomes (quality of life, sexual function, pain and cyclical bleeding).

METHODS

A systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials was conducted on MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane CENTRAL, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Clinicaltrials.gov databases, and conference abstracts (AAGL, AUGS, ICS) from 1970 to November 2017. Two reviewers independently searched, selected and then combined the articles. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effect model. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane's Collaboration tool.

FINDINGS

Eleven studies were included involving 1523 patients. The analyses showed that the events operative time (mean difference: 12.88 minutes, 95%CI [7.45, 18.30] p < 0.000001), hospital stay (MD .44 days, 95%CI [0.11, 0.77] p = 0.0008), and intraoperative blood loss (MD 81.06 ml, 95%CI [9.16, 152.97] p = 0.03) favored SH over TH, although the rate of blood transfusion did not differ between the groups. Conversely, TH group had less cyclical vaginal bleeding over SH (1.2% versus 14.1%; RR .14 95%CI [0.05, 0.43] p = 0.0006) during one-year follow up. Persistent pain and sexual satisfaction rates, and quality of life scores were similar in both total and subtotal hysterectomy groups up to 12 months follow up.

IMPLICATIONS

Overall perioperative outcomes favored the preservation of the cervix during hysterectomy but women that had SH are more susceptible to present cyclical vaginal bleeding mimicking menstruation. Those factors should be taken into account along with patient's needs and expectations prior to selecting the procedure.

Examining Disparities in Route of Surgery and Postoperative Complications in Black Race and Hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the associations among race, route of hysterectomy, and postoperative complications among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications.

METHODS

A cohort study was performed. All patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications, recorded in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and its targeted hysterectomy file in 2015, were identified. The primary exposure was patient race. The primary outcome was route of hysterectomy and the secondary outcome was postoperative complication. Associations were examined using both bivariable tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 15,136 women who underwent hysterectomy for benign indications, 75% were white and 25% were black. Black women were more likely to undergo an open hysterectomy than white women (50.1% vs 22.9%; odds ratio [OR] 3.36, 95% CI 3.11-3.64). Black women had larger uteri (median 262 g vs 123 g; 60.7% vs 25.6% with uterus greater than 250 g), more prior pelvic surgery (58.5% vs 53.2%), and higher body mass indices (32.7 vs 30.4). After adjusting for these and other clinical factors, black women remained more likely to undergo an open hysterectomy (adjusted OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.85-2.20). Black women experienced more major complications than white women (4.1% vs 2.3%; P<.001) and more minor complications (11.4% vs 6.7%; OR 1.78, P<.001). Again these disparities persisted with adjustment (major adjusted OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.25-1.95; minor adjusted OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.11-1.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Black women undergo a higher proportion of open hysterectomy and experience more major and minor postoperative complications. These differences persisted even after adjusting for confounding medical, surgical, and gynecologic factors.

Coexistence of adenomyosis, adenocarcinoma, endometrial and myometrial lesions in resected uterine specimens

The present study was conducted to identify endometrial and myometrial lesions coexisting with adenomyosis, and to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of endometrial adenocarcinomas associated with adenomyosis. A retrospective analysis of the resected uterine specimens of 319 patients with adenomyosis admitted between January 1, 2014 and August 1, 2017 was performed. The endometrial and myometrial lesions coexisting with adenomyosis were evaluated. The clinicopathological prognostic factors, including tumor grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, lymph node invasion, pathological stage and recurrence, were analysed. For data analysis, the Chi-squared test was used and a P-value of <0.05 was considered to indicate statistically significant differences. The mean age of the patients was 52.1 years. A total of 32 patients had endometrial carcinoma associated with adenomyosis. In addition to endometrioid adenocarcinoma of different grades, rare clear cell carcinoma cases were also observed. Two cases of malignant mesenchymal tumors (one low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma and one leiomyosarcoma) were also diagnosed. Therefore, patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding should undergo thorough evaluation for the presence of adenomyosis and/or leiomyoma(s). Although the cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma associated with adenomyosis generally had a good prognostic outcome, there were also rare cases of patients with agressive tumor morphology. The inflammatory and tissue response arising around the foci of adenomyosis generate a preventive mechanism against the invasion of adenocarcinomas coexisting with adenomyosis. This response is likely the primary mechanism underlying the good clinical course of these tumors. Therefore, the presence of adenomyosis may be an important factor for the determination of prognosis.

Preoperative assessment of factors associated with difficulty in performing total laparoscopic hysterectomy

AIM

Our objective was to determine the preoperative factors associated with difficulty in total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH).

METHODS

This retrospective clinical study included 157 patients who underwent TLH for leiomyoma or adenomyosis between 2009 and 2013. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before surgery. We categorized patients as 'difficult' if the operation time was > 243 min, if total blood loss was > 500 mL, or if conversion to laparotomy was necessary. Preoperative information, including MRI findings, was compared between the difficult and 'other' patients. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to control for covariates that were significant on univariate analysis (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The presence of an endometrioma, a previous cesarean section (CS), a wide uterus, and a high body mass index were independent risk factors for being a difficult patient. For adenomyosis patients, the presence of an endometrioma, a prior CS, subtype II adenomyosis, and high body mass index were independent risk factors for being a difficult patient. For leiomyoma patients, the presence of an endometrioma, a prior CS, and having at least seven leiomyomas were independent risk factors for being a difficult patient. All laparotomy conversion patients had multiple risk factors.

CONCLUSION

We have elucidated the factors associated with difficult TLH patients using patients' background and preoperative MRI findings. Awareness of these predictive factors may enable surgeons to prepare for the operation, minimize complications, or choose another more appropriate route of hysterectomy than TLH.

Robotic single-site supracervical hysterectomy with manual morcellation: Preliminary experience

AIM

To evaluate the feasibility, safety and peri- and postoperative outcomes of robotic single-site supracervical hysterectomy (RSSSH) for benign gynecologic disease.

METHODS

We report 3 patients who received RSSSH for adenomyosis of the uterus from November 2015 to April 2016. We evaluated the feasibility, safety and outcomes among these patients.

RESULTS

The mean surgical time was 244 min and the estimated blood loss was 216 mL, with no blood transfusion necessitated. The docking time was shortened gradually from 30 to 10 min. We spent 148 min on console operation. Manual morcellation time was also short, ranging from 5 to 10 min. The mean hospital stay was 5 d. Lower VAS pain score was also noted. There is no complication during or after surgery.

CONCLUSION

RSSSH is feasible and safe, incurs less postoperative pain and gives good cosmetic appearance. The technique of in-bag, manual morcellation can avoid tumor dissemination.

CA125 modified by PLT and NLR improves the predictive accuracy of adenomyosis-derived pelvic dense adhesion

To explore the value of serum levels of CA125, platelet count (PLT), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and modified CA125 markers CA125a and CA125b in predicting pelvic dense adhesion (PDA) associated with adenomyosis, CA125a = lg(CA125 × PLT × 10), CA125b = lg(CA125 × NLR).This retrospective study included 304 patients who underwent surgery for adenomyosis. Correlations of serum levels of CA125, PLT, NLR, and modified CA125 markers with adenomyosis-derived PDA were analyzed by Logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to assess the utility of these parameters for predicting PDA.All the parameters including CA125, PLT, NLR, and modified CA125 markers were positively correlated with PDA (P < .05 or P < .01). More importantly, CA125a was more specific (85.03% vs. 83.00%) and more sensitive (47.56% vs. 47.47%) than CA125 alone for the prediction of PDA, and CA125b could also improve the predictive specificity of PDA (53.13% vs. 47.47%).Serum CA125, PLT, and NLR were all closely correlated with PDA in adenomyosis patients. CA125 modified by PLT and NLR could further improve the predictive accuracy of adenomyosis-derived PDA, thus providing more meaningful references for better-informed decisions about the mode of surgical access for the clinical treatment of adenomyosis.

Robotic Trachelectomy After Supracervical Hysterectomy for Benign Gynecologic Disease

Background and Objectives:

A renewed interest in the supra cervical approach to hysterectomy has created a cohort of patients with a retained cervix at risk of persistent symptoms requiring a subsequent trachelectomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of robotic trachelectomy after a previous supracervical hysterectomy.

Methods:

This is a retrospective chart review of women who had robotic trachelectomy after supracervical hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease from January 2009 through October 2014.

Results:

Eleven patients underwent robotic trachelectomy for benign conditions during the observed period. Prior supracervical hysterectomy had been performed for pelvic pain (8/11, 73%), abnormal uterine bleeding (7/11, 64%), and dysmenorrhea (5/11, 45%). In 10 of 11 patients, the symptoms leading to robotic trachelectomy were the same as those leading to supracervical hysterectomy. The time from hysterectomy to recurrence of symptoms ranged from 0.5 to 26 months (median, 6), whereas the time interval from previous surgery to robotic trachelectomy ranged from 1 to 57 months (median, 26). Mean age and body mass index at robotic trachelectomy were 42 ± 5.4 years and 32 ± 6.1 kg/m². Mean length of surgery was 218 ± 88 minutes (range, 100–405). There was 1 major postoperative complication involving bladder perforation and subsequent vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). Endometriosis was seen in 27% of pathologic specimens and cervicitis in another 27%; 45% showed normal tissue histology. In 6 (55%) cases, symptoms leading to trachelectomy resolved completely after surgery, and the other 5 (45%) patients reported a significant improvement.

Conclusions:

Although trachelectomy can be a challenging surgery, our experience suggests that the robotic approach may be a valuable means of achieving safe and reproducible outcomes.

Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy and Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy in Patients with Very Large Uteri: a Retrospective Single-Center Experience at a Major University Hospital

Objective The main objectives of our study were to demonstrate that laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) or total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) can be performed safely even in patients with a uterine weight ≥ 500 g, to analyze the rate of conversions to laparotomy due to uterine size and to estimate the incidence and type of intraoperative and long-term postoperative complications. Study Design Retrospective open, single-center, comparative interventional study of LSH and TLH. Results The present study comprised a total of 138 patients that underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy with a uterine weight ≥ 500 g; 109 patients (79.0 %) underwent LSH and 29 patients (21.0 %) underwent TLH. Median uterine weight across the entire cohort was 602 g, with the largest uterus weighing 1860 g. A total of 24 cases (17.4 %) among the 138 hysterectomies were converted to a laparotomy due to lack of adequate intraabdominal space and size of the uterus. Mean uterine weight of the patients in the LSH group that underwent conversion was 883 g (SD 380 g, n = 13) and 757 g (SD 371 g, n = 11) in the TLH group. The rate of conversion to laparotomy due to the uterine weight was significantly lower in the LSH group (11.9 %) compared to the TLH group (37.9 %) (p = 0.002). Intraoperative complications requiring laparotomy for other reasons but uterine size occurred in 6 patients of the study cohort (6/138; 4.3 %). Long-term postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients (2/138, 1.4 %), both patients from LSH group had to be re-operated on due to adhesions. Conclusions Our study adds further insight in the limited data set of laparoscopic hysterectomy for increased uterine weight and shows that LSH and TLH are safe and feasible even in patients with very large uteri (≥ 500 g).

The impact of abdominal and laparoscopic hysterectomies on women's sexuality and psychological condition

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether there were any differences in the quality of life, sexual function, and self-esteem of patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) (n=42) and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) (n=42).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All premenopausal patients who underwent TLH or TAH because of benign uterine disorders were enrolled. The sexual function and quality of life status were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using three standardized validated questionnaires: the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

RESULTS

Preoperative ASEX, SCL-90-R and RSES scores were not different among the hysterectomy subgroups. The postoperative SCL-90-R scores were also not different among the hysterectomy subgroups. The postoperative RSES scores were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the preoperative scores for all procedures (indicating improved self-esteem) but did not differ among the groups. The postoperative ASEX scores were significantly decreased (p<0.01) as compared with the preoperative scores (indicating improved sexual function). When the average score of each item of the ASEX score was compared in both groups, significant differences were observed in sexual drive and arousal in the laparoscopy group (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Women undergoing TLH for benign uterine disease may have better outcomes related to certain sexual function parameters than women undergoing TAH.

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy for the larger uterus (>500 g): a case series and literature review

BACKGROUND

In clinical practice, the current trend for surgical hysterectomy for the large uterus is by laparotomy, where vaginal hysterectomy is not feasible. The benefits of a laparoscopic approach to hysterectomy are well documented, but limited literature is available on laparoscopic hysterectomy in the larger uterus. A supracervical hysterectomy should be considered for women, where there is no contraindication to a residual cervix.

OBJECTIVE

To compare surgical outcomes for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) in the large uterus (equal or greater than 500 g) compared with normal (<500 g), results were compared to the limited literature on this topic.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective review was undertaken of 207 women who underwent an LSH between 2005 and 2015 at Whipps Cross University hospital. The operative outcome of patients undergoing surgery, for uteri both greater than 500 g and less than 500 g, was analysed. Data included patient demographics, intra-operative details, and complications. A literature search was performed using keywords 'laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy' and 'laparoscopic sub-total hysterectomy' which yielded six informative articles.

RESULTS

In the study group of 207 patients, 67 had a large uterus (56 patients 500-1000 g, 11 patients >1000 g). The operation time and intra-operative blood loss were both greater in the larger uterus cohort (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0021, respectively). The hospital stay and intra-operative complication rate were similar for the two study cohorts (six for the study, n = 207). Review of the literature revealed six relevant studies evaluating patients with uteri greater than 500 g. There was an agreement between all the studies that a larger uterus resulted in an increase in both intra-operative time and blood loss, but this did not translate to increase in hospital stay or intra-operative complications.

CONCLUSION

The use of LSH for the larger uterus is feasible and safe due to the low level of operative complications as demonstrated in our study and following a review of the literature.

The Significance of MRI Evaluation of the Uterine Junctional Zone in the Early Diagnosis of Adenomyosis

Goal:

The aim of the study is to define the MRI appearance of disorder in the Junctional zone (JZ) in women with adenomyosis compared to those without it, given the importance of the JZ in the regulation of various reproductive events.

Materials and methods:

This was a prospective, comparative and open study. Patients with adenomyosis have been sorted in target group, n = 82, while the control group consisted of patients without adenomyosis, n = 82. All patients, from both groups have undergone a magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis. Using a software tool for measurement, the thickness of the JZ was measured in T2w sag sequences in all patients from both groups (target and control) n = 164. Patients in the target group type adenomyosis were assessed and categorized either as: diffuse, focal, or Adenomyoma and the results were compared. The presence of endometriosis and myomas in both groups was evaluated and its coexistence with adenomyosis was analyzed as well.

Results:

Of the 82 patients in the target group, 81.7% of the patients had diffuse adenomyosis, while 18.3% had focal type with statistically significant difference (p <0.05). The results of the Mann-Whitney U test showed that p <0.05, implying that there is a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the JZ between the control and target group, therefore patients from the target group with adenomyosis had a statistically significantly thicker junctional zone than the patients in the control group. The JZ in the target group was on average M = 14,3mm, SD = 1.3mm, while the thickness of JZ in the control group without adenomyosis was M = 5,6mm, SD = 1,3. Chi-square shows that p <0.05, implying that there is a statistically significant difference in the number of patients with myomas between the two groups, where the myomas significantly over-represented in the target group with 32,9 % vs.6 %).

Conclusion:

MRI is the method of choice for imaging and evaluation of JZ as an important diagnostic marker in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. It is important to recognize this condition as early as possible and distinguish it from other pathologies in order for timely and appropriate treatment.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy via suture and ligation technique

OBJECTIVE

The term 'total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) with classical suture method' refers to a surgical procedure performed using only sutures and ligations with intracorporeal or extracorporeal ties, without using any laser or electronic cauterization devices during laparoscopic surgery as in total abdominal hysterectomy. However, the method is not as widely used as electric coagulation equipment for TLH because further advances in technology and surgical technique are required and operative time can take longer. In the current study, we evaluated the benefits of the classical suture method for TLH.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed patients who received TLH using the classical suture method from August 2005 to April 2014. The patients' baseline characteristics were analyzed, including age, parity, cause of operation, medical and surgical history. Surgical outcomes analyzed included the weight of the uterus, operative time, complications, changes in hemoglobin level, blood transfusion requirements, and postoperative hospital stay.

RESULTS

Of 746 patients who underwent TLH with the classical suture method, mean operation time was 96.9 minutes. Mean average decline in hemoglobin was 1.6 g/dL and transfusion rate was 6.2%. Urinary tract injuries were reported in 8 patients. Urinary tract injuries comprised 6 cases of bladder injury and 3 cases of ureter injury. There were no cases of vaginal stump infection, hematoma, bowel injury or abdominal wound complication. All cases involving complications occurred before 2010.

CONCLUSION

The classical suture method for TLH presents tolerable levels of complications and blood loss. Advanced surgical skill is expected to decrease operation time and complications.

Case-Mix Variables and Predictors for Outcomes of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Systematic Review

The assessment of surgical quality is complex, and an adequate case-mix correction is missing in currently applied quality indicators. The purpose of this study is to give an overview of all studies mentioning statistically significant associations between patient characteristics and surgical outcomes for laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH). Additionally, we identified a set of potential case-mix characteristics for LH. This systematic review was conducted according to the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. We searched PubMed and EMBASE from January 1, 2000 to August 1, 2015. All articles describing statistically significant associations between patient characteristics and adverse outcomes of LH for benign indications were included. Primary outcomes were blood loss, operative time, conversion, and complications. The methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The included articles were summed per predictor and surgical outcome. Three sets of case-mix characteristics were determined, stratified by different levels of evidence. Eighty-five of 1549 identified studies were considered eligible. Uterine weight and body mass index (BMI) were the most mentioned predictors (described, respectively, 83 and 45 times) in high quality studies. For longer operative time and higher blood loss, uterine weight ≥ 250 to 300 g and ≥500 g and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) dominated as predictors. Previous operations, adhesions, and higher age were also considered as predictors for longer operative time. For complications and conversions, the patient characteristics varied widely, and uterine weight, BMI, previous operations, adhesions, and age predominated. Studies of high methodologic quality indicated uterine weight and BMI as relevant case-mix characteristics for all surgical outcomes. For future development of quality indicators of LH and to compare surgical outcomes adequately, a case-mix correction is suggested for at least uterine weight and BMI. A potential case-mix correction for adhesions and previous operations can be considered. For both surgeons and patients it is valuable to be aware of potential factors predicting adverse outcomes and to anticipate this. Finally, to benchmark clinical outcomes at an international level, it is of the utmost importance to introduce uniform outcome definitions.

Subtotal versus total abdominal hysterectomy: randomized clinical trial with 14-year questionnaire follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to compare long-term results of subtotal vs total abdominal hysterectomy for benign uterine diseases 14 years after hysterectomy, with urinary incontinence as the primary outcome measure.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a long-term follow-up of a multicenter, randomized clinical trial without blinding. Eleven gynecological departments in Denmark contributed participants to the trial. Women referred for benign uterine diseases who did not have contraindications to subtotal abdominal hysterectomy were randomized to subtotal (n = 161) vs total (n = 158) abdominal hysterectomy. All women enrolled in the trial from 1996 to 2000 who were still alive and living in Denmark (n = 304) were invited to answer the validated questionnaire used in prior 1 and 5 year follow-ups. Hospital contacts possibly related to hysterectomy from 5 to 14 years postoperatively were registered from discharge summaries from all public hospitals in Denmark. The results were analyzed as intention to treat and per protocol. Possible bias caused by missing data was handled by multiple imputation. The primary outcome was urinary incontinence; the secondary outcomes were pelvic organ prolapse, constipation, pain, sexuality, quality of life (Short Form-36 questionnaire), hospital contacts, and vaginal bleeding.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was answered by 197 of 304 women (64.8%) (subtotal hysterectomy [n = 97] [63.4%]; total hysterectomy [n = 100] [66.2%]). Mean follow-up time was 14 years and mean age at follow-up was 60.1 years. After subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, 32 of 97 women (33%) complained of urinary incontinence compared with 20 of 100 women (20%) after total abdominal hysterectomy 14 years after hysterectomy (relative risk, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.70; P = .035). After a multiple imputation analysis, this difference disappeared (relative risk, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-2.13; P = .19). No differences were seen in any of the secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Subtotal abdominal hysterectomy was not superior to total abdominal hysterectomy on any outcomes. More women seem to have subjective urinary incontinence 14 years after subtotal abdominal hysterectomy. This result was not confirmed by multiple imputation analysis and should be interpreted cautiously.

Vaginal evisceration: an unexpected complication of conization

Background. Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) is routinely performed for the management of high grade intracervical neoplasia (CIN). Several uncommon complications have been described, including postoperative peritonitis, pseudoaneurysm of uterine artery, and bowel fistula. We report a unique case of postoperative vaginal evisceration and the subsequent management. Case. A 73-years-old woman underwent LLETZ for high grade CIN. On postoperative day 3, she was admitted for small bowel evisceration through the vagina. Surgical management was based on combined laparoscopic and transvaginal approach and consisted in bowel inspection and reinstatement, peritoneal washing, and dehiscence repair. Conclusions. Vaginal evisceration is a rare but potentially serious complication of pelvic surgery. This case report is to make clinicians aware of such complication following LLETZ and its management.

Cervical Detachment Using Monopolar SupraLoop™ Electrode versus Monopolar Needle in Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH): An Interventional, Comparative Cohort Study

Objective: Currently available monopolar loop electrodes are difficult to handle in laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) and are entirely disposable devices, generating additional operating costs. The aim of this interventional study was the comparison of the efficiency and safety of cervical detachment with a newly developed monopolar loop electrode (SupraLoop™) with a conventional method of cervical detachment in LSH. Material and Methods: Our study sample included 1598 patients; 1070 patients that underwent LSH with cervical detachment using the monopolar SupraLoop™ (study group) and 528 patients that underwent LSH with cervical detachment using the monopolar needle (control group). We also assessed cervical detachment time and total device application and cutting time in a subgroup of 49 patients (23 patients from the study group and 26 patients from the control group). Results: Total operation time for LSH was significantly shorter among SupraLoop™ patients (93 ± 41 minutes) when compared to patients in whom cervical detachment was performed with the needle (105 ± 44 minutes) (p < 0.001). Cervical detachment time and total device application including cutting time was significantly shorter for the SupraLoop™ group (SupraLoop vs. needle; 0.12 ± 0.21 min vs. 5.1 ± 4.4 min [p < 0.001]; 2.3 ± 1.8 min vs. 5.4 ± 2.4 min [p < 0.001]). There were no major or minor complications directly related to the use of the SupraLoop™ device, whereas two intraoperative complications were directly related to the application of the monopolar needle. Conclusion: The newly developed monopolar loop electrode (SupraLoop™) is both an effective and safe instrument for cervical detachment in laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, and performed better than the needle, offering a significantly shorter operating time and less complications for the hysterectomy compared to the conventional method.

Adenomyosis: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Clinical Phenotype and Surgical and Interventional Alternatives to Hysterectomy

Adenomyosis is an important clinical challenge in gynecology and healthcare economics; in its fully developed form, hysterectomy is often used to treat it in premenopausal and perimenopausal women. Symptoms of adenomyosis typically include menorrhagia, pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea. Moreover, adenomyosis and leiomyomas commonly coexist in the same uterus, and differentiating the symptoms for each pathological process can be problematic. Although it has been recognized for over a century, reliable epidemiological studies on this condition are limited, because only postoperative diagnoses were possible in the past. Minimally invasive surgical techniques (endometrial ablation/resection, myometrial excision/reduction, myometrial electrocoagulation, uterine artery ligation) have had limited success in the treatment of adenomyosis, and the reported data for these procedures have been obtained from case reports or small case series with only short follow-up times. However, newer techniques including uterine artery embolization (UAE) and magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) show promise in treating adenomyosis. The data is strongest for UAE; these studies have the largest patient cohorts. However, none of the UAE studies were randomized or controlled. Thus, despite the clinical importance of adenomyosis, there is little evidence on which to base treatment decisions. The objective of this review is to summarize the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical phenotype and to evaluate the accrued experience with surgical and interventional alternatives to hysterectomy.