Vaginal expulsion of submucous myomas after laparoscopic-assisted uterine depletion of the myomas

Myoma Expulsion after Uterine Artery Embolization

Introduction

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign pelvic tumors in women over 35 years and can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Among the main treatment strategies, there are hormone therapy, hysterectomy, myomectomy, and uterine artery embolization (UAE), a recent and promising treatment for patients who wish to avoid hysterectomy. Ideal candidates for UAE are women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas that present no desire for pregnancy, premenopausal and heavy menstrual bleeding, or dysmenorrhea caused by intramural fibroids. Case Presentation. A 36-year-old female diagnosed with leiomyomas and an extensive history of failed previous treatments who, in order to preserve her uterus, underwent UAE and had tumor expulsion 15 days after the procedure. The patient remained eight months in amenorrhea and, currently, presents normal hormone levels and irregular periods.

Conclusion

UAE presents itself as a minimally invasive procedure and as an efficient alternative for those patients who wish to preserve their uteri and also improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Spontaneous vaginal expulsion of uterine myoma after magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery

Uterine myomas are common benign uterine tumors in women of reproductive age. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is a minimally invasive procedure that produces coagulative necrosis at a precise focal point within the body. MRgFUS regarded as an effective and safe treatment modality in women with symptomatic uterine myomas. Vaginal passage of treated myoma tissue has been reported during other therapeutic procedures such as uterine artery embolization or during puerperium. This study is the first to report a case of vaginal expulsion of uterine myoma after MRgFUS, with complete endometrial recovery on follow-up.

Are fibroids that become endocavitary after uterine artery embolization necessarily a complication?

OBJECTIVE

This commentary deals with the study by Verma et al. discussing submucosal and endocavitary fibroids after uterine artery embolization (UAE).

CONCLUSION

UAE can infarct fibroids. Fibroids spontaneously infarct after childbirth. Because the postpartum cervix is patulous, infarcted fibroids that fall into the uterine cavity easily exit the uterus. Each patient contemplating UAE should anticipate that infarcted fibroids bordering on or inside the uterine cavity may require cervical dilatation or hysteroscopic resection for removal. The addition of either of these two gynecology procedures should not necessarily be regarded as a UAE complication or treatment failure.

Uterine artery ligation for treatment of pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas who are undergoing cesarean section

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of uterine artery ligation for pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas, who are undergoing cesarean section.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical study without randomization.

SETTING

University-affiliated tertiary referral center.

PATIENT(S)

Forty-eight women with uterine leiomyomas undergoing cesarean section for obstetric reasons were enrolled into the study. Diagnosis was established with ultrasound before or during early pregnancy.

INTERVENTION(S)

Ligation of the bilateral uterine arteries was performed immediately after closure of the uterine incision wound.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Blood loss during cesarean section, dominant leiomyoma size, and future surgical intervention for symptomatic leiomyoma.

RESULT(S)

Twenty-six (54%) of 48 patients underwent uterine artery ligation during cesarean section (group I), and 22 (46%) received cesarean section only (group II). The average follow-up time was 38.5 months. The average blood loss during surgery was 254 +/- 92.3 mL for group I and 278 +/- 160.5 mL for group II. Hemoglobin on the first postoperative day was 11.2 +/- 0.9 g/dL for group I and 10.4 +/- 1.1 g/dL for group II. One patient in group II required blood transfusion due to hemorrhage. Two patients (7.7%) in group I and 9 (40.9%) in group II underwent myomectomy or hysterectomy for symptomatic leiomyomas within 6-38 months after cesarean section. Reductions in the dominant myoma size (average: 45%) were demonstrated in group I patients postoperatively. Four patients (15.4%) in group I and three (13.6%) in group II had a repeat cesarean section during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION(S)

Uterine artery ligation appears to be a promising method for treating pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas, who are undergoing cesarean section, because it is able to reduce postpartum blood loss and minimize the necessity of future surgery. Fertility is apparently not compromised by this treatment, which offers obstetricians with another choice between observation and myomectomy for pregnant women with leiomyomas who are undergoing cesarean section.

Late leiomyoma expulsion after uterine artery embolization

A case of late expulsion of a leiomyoma after uterine artery embolization (UAE) is reported in a 49-year-old woman who underwent UAE for a huge (13 cm x 12 cm; 1,061 cm(3)) bleeding- and bulk-related intramural leiomyoma diagnosed with ultrasonography. Free-flow embolization was performed with 150-400-microm polyvinyl alcohol particles and absorbable particle sponge. Symptoms and myoma size were successfully controlled until 44 months, at which time the patient reported vaginal discharge. A 7-cm necrotic, partly submucosal leiomyoma was detected. The patient refused hysterectomy and spontaneously expelled the leiomyoma through the cervix 6 months later. In conclusion, UAE necessitates long-term follow-up and women should be warned of late complications.

Color Doppler evaluation of blood flow changes in leiomyomas after uterine artery ligation

OBJECTIVE

To detect possible changes in main blood vessels within leiomyomas after uterine artery ligation using color Doppler sonography.

METHOD

Blood flow in main leiomyoma blood vessels was measured before and after the procedure in 14 women who also had abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, and/or anemia.

RESULTS

Of the 14 patients, 13 reported complete disappearance of preoperative pain or pressure and 1 reported significant relief. Within 1 week to 4 months after uterine artery ligation, major blood flow within leiomyomas had significantly decreased in all patients. Eight months after the procedure, 1 of the women became pregnant.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic uterine artery ligation via a lateral retroperitoneal technique is a safe and effective treatment for leiomyomas. Color Doppler sonography verified the ability of the procedure to diminish blood flow within leiomyomas in all patients.

Combining the uterine depletion procedure and myomectomy may be useful for treating symptomatic fibroids

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic results of premyomectomy uterine depletion for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids, compared with myomectomy only.

DESIGN

Controlled, clinical study without randomization.

SETTING

University-affiliated tertiary referral center.

PATIENT(S)

Four hundred eighty-six women with symptomatic fibroids warranting surgical treatment and who wished to retain their uteri.

INTERVENTION(S)

Ligation of the uterine arteries was performed by either an abdominal or a laparoscopic approach before myomectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative improvement of symptoms, and recurrence rates of fibroids.

RESULT(S)

Of 342 women with pathology-confirmed fibroids who were included in the study, 108 received myomectomy only (group I), and 234 underwent the uterine depletion procedure followed by myomectomy (group II). Average blood loss was 250 +/- 132.5 mL for group I and 50 +/- 26.9 mL for group II. For patients with menorrhagia, 79 (84%) of 94 women in group I experienced complete resolution; all of the 194 women (100%) in group II had resolution within 2 months of surgery. The recurrence rate of ultrasound-confirmed fibroids was 19.4% (21 of 108) in group I and 0% in group II. Of the sexually active patients who were not using contraception, 50% (49 of 98) in group I and 37.5% (15 of 40) in group II had a live birth.

CONCLUSION(S)

This study demonstrates the value of uterine depletion before myomectomy for the management of patients with symptomatic fibroids. The procedure reduced blood loss during the operation, resulted in complete resolution of fibroid-related menorrhagia, and has the potential to prevent fibroid recurrence. Fertility capacity was apparently not compromised by this new treatment approach.

Midterm follow-up study of laparoscopic dissection of uterine vessels for surgical treatment of symptomatic fibroids

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess laparoscopic dissection of uterine vessels (LDUV) for symptomatic fibroids in women.

METHODS

A total of 69 women entered the study between March 2000 and June 2003. In this case series, 68 consecutive women underwent LDUV using ultrasonically activated sheers or electrosurgery for the treatment of fibroids over 3 years (median follow-up period, 14.5 months). Ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging was carried out 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment. The tissue markers, gonadotropin, and estrogen levels were studied postoperatively.

RESULTS

Almost all the patients (98.5%) had a successful LDUV with a low rate (7.3%) of postoperative complications. The time of surgery ranged from 15 to 50 min (mean, 30.8 min). The blood loss was minimal (mean, 14.7 ml), and the hospital stay was 2.4 days. Symptom improvement (menorrhagia or dysmenorrhoea) was 93.2%, and the average reduction in the dominant myoma was 57.8% during a follow-up period longer than 12 months. All the patients with anemia had normal red cell counts after 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Uterine volume and the dominant fibroid were significantly reduced and symptoms were improved by LDUV. The laparoscopic procedure is associated with insignificant tissue damage and normal gonadotropin and estrogen levels.

Childbirth and Myoma Treatment by Uterine Artery Occlusion: Do They Share a Common Biology?

When the uterine arteries are bilaterally occluded, either by uterine artery embolization or by laparoscopic obstruction, women with myomas experience symptomatic relief. After the uterine arteries are occluded, most blood stops flowing in myometrial arteries and veins, and the uterus becomes ischemic. It is postulated that myomas are killed by the same process that kills trophoblasts: transient uterine ischemia. When the uterine arteries are bilaterally occluded, either by uterine artery embolization (UAE) or by laparoscopic obstruction, women with myomas experience symptomatic relief. After the uterine arteries are occluded, most blood stops flowing in myometrial arteries and veins, and the uterus becomes ischemic. Over time, stagnant blood in these arteries and veins clots. Then, tiny collateral arteries in the broad ligament (including communicating arteries from the ovarian arteries) open, causing clot within myometrium to lyse and the uterus to reperfuse. Myomas, however, do not survive this period of ischemia. This is unique organ response to clot formation and ischemia. What allows the uterus to survive a relatively long period of ischemia while myomas perish? Childbirth appears to be the predicate biology. Following placental separation, the uteroplacental arteries and the draining veins of the placenta are torn apart at their bases in the junctional zone of the myometrium and bleed directly into the uterine cavity. Left unchecked, every woman would bleed to death in less than 10 minutes after placental delivery. Most women do not bleed to death because vessels in the uterus clot after placental delivery. During pregnancy, clotting and lytic factors in blood increase many fold. Following delivery, uterine contractions continue, intermittently, periodically slowing the velocity of flowing blood through myometrium. The combination of slowed blood flow, elevated clotting proteins, and torn placental vessels (known as Virchow's triad) causes blood in myometrial arteries and veins to clot. Fibrinolytic enzymes later lyse clot in arteries and veins not associated with placenta perfusion, and the uterus is reperfused. Remnant placental tissue - primarily uteroplacental arteries and veins - does not survive this period of ischemia. Placental tissue dies and over weeks is sloughed into the uterine cavity. At the same time, residual endometrial tissue grows under the sloughing placental tissue thus re-establishing the endometrial lining. It is postulated that myomas are killed by the same process that kills trophoblasts - transient uterine ischemia.

Laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion for symptomatic leiomyomas

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To describe a laparoscopic technique that safely occludes both uterine arteries, overcoming an altered surgical field resulting from scarring and/or uterine leiomyomatous growth.

DESIGN

Prospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

Nonprofit community hospital.

PATIENTS

Eight women with leiomyomas with abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, and/or anemia.

INTERVENTION

Bilateral laparoscopic retroperitoneal uterine artery occlusion.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Occlusion at the initial track of the uterine artery was performed by laparoscopic coated ligature in six patients. In two obese patients with deep retroperitoneal space, vascular clips were placed endoscopically using the same dissecting technique. All patients were discharged within 20 hours after the procedure. All five women with abnormal bleeding reported satisfactory decrease; none reported amenorrhea. Of eight with preoperative pain or pressure, seven reported complete disappearance and one significant relief. All three patients with anemia had normal red cell counts after 1 month.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion using a lateral retroperitoneal technique is safe and effective in women with pelvic scarring and altered pelvic anatomy.

Alternative treatment for symptomatic fibroids

The present review discusses treatment options for symptomatic fibroids. Although the standard treatment of fibroids has been surgical hysterectomy, an increasing number of reports indicate that uterine artery embolization with preservation of the uterus is a promising alternative. Other surgical and medical approaches reported during the past year are also addressed. The review summarizes patient selection, contraindications, results, complications and future considerations. Complications following uterine artery embolization treatment for symptomatic fibroids have been minor in comparison with those following hysterectomy. Although patient satisfaction is good, none of the studies included control individuals and further studies are needed to optimize patient selection and to evaluate long-term results of treatment.