Effect of simultaneous morcellation in situ on operative time during laparoscopic myomectomy

Safety of Minimally Invasive Tissue Extraction in Myoma Management: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

This review seeks to establish the incidence of adverse outcomes associated with minimally invasive tissue extraction at the time of surgical procedures for myomas.

DATA SOURCES

Articles published in the following databases without date restrictions: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Trials. Search was conducted on March 25, 2020.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Included studies evaluated minimally invasive surgical procedures for uterine myomas involving morcellation. This review did not consider studies of nonuterine tissue morcellation, studies involving uterine procedures other than hysterectomy or myomectomy, studies involving morcellation of known malignancies, nor studies concerning hysteroscopic myomectomy. A total of 695 studies were reviewed, with 185 studies included for analysis.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The following variables were extracted: patient demographics, study type, morcellation technique, and adverse outcome category. Adverse outcomes included prolonged operative time, morcellation time, blood loss, direct injury from a morcellator, dissemination of tissue (benign or malignant), and disruption of the pathologic specimen.

CONCLUSION

Complications related to morcellation are rare; however, there is a great need for higher quality studies to evaluate associated adverse outcomes.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis: a devastating sequelae of unconfined laparoscopic morcellation

There has been growing concern surrounding the use of unconfined power morcellation in laparoscopic surgeries for uterine leiomyoma due to its associated risks and long-term clinical sequelae, including parasitic leiomyomas and disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL). We present a case of DPL resulting from previous laparoscopic morcellation and a review of the existing literature. DPL is a potentially devastating consequence of unconfined laparoscopic morcellation in the surgical management of uterine fibroids. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended in the management of DPL, especially in cases of multivisceral involvement. Clinical caution ought to be exercised when using power morcellators; when unavoidable, confined laparoscopic morcellation offers a promising mitigation and should be adopted if practicable.

Robotic myomectomy for large uterine myomas

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate surgical outcomes and feasibility of robotic myomectomy in large uterine myomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study for robotic myomectomies performed from October 2012 to August 2017 by a single surgeon in a tertiary care referral hospital. Demographics, diagnosis, perioperative variables, operative outcomes and complications were recorded. Large uterine myoma was defined as the estimated diameter of dominant myoma equal to or larger than 10 cm by sonography.

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were included and 32 (43.2%) patients had large uterine myoma. Patients with myoma larger than 10 cm showed significantly heavier myoma weight (446.5 ± 206.2 mg vs. 288.1 ± 147.5, p < 0.001), similar blood loss (309.4 ± 190.3 mL vs. 200.9 ± 285.9 mL, p = 0.06), and longer operative time (263.4 ± 83.7 min vs. 219.1 ± 75.7 min, p = 0.02) compared with patients with myoma <10 cm. The largest myoma removed was 20 cm in diameter. Perioperative complications were rare.

CONCLUSION

Robotic myomectomy is feasible for managing large uterine myomas. It is a safe procedure with acceptable longer operative time.

Predictors of postoperative hemoglobin drop after laparoscopic myomectomy

Introduction

Laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) can be associated with significant bleeding.

Aim

To identify factors influencing the postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) drop after LM.

Material and methods

This is a retrospective, single-center study. We evaluated data of 150 consecutive patients undergoing LM due to intramural myomas between 2010 and 2015.

Results

The median age of the patients was 37 (23–53) years. The mean diameter of the largest myoma was 5.7 ±2.3 (1.5–12) cm. The mean surgical time was 83 ±38 (35–299) min. The median number of sutures was 3 (1–11). The mean postoperative Hb drop was 1.6 ±1.2 (0–6) g/dl, and the mean estimated blood loss was 261 ±159 (50–1700) ml. In the univariate analysis, the postoperative Hb drop correlated with the duration of surgery (p < 0.001), diameter of the largest myoma (p < 0.001), cumulative myoma weight (p < 0.001), and number of sutures (p < 0.001), but not with patients’ age or number of intramural myomas. In the multivariable analysis, the surgical time (β = 0.395, p < 0.001), diameter of the largest myoma (β = 0.292, p = 0.03) and preoperative Hb concentration (β = 0.299, p < 0.001) predicted the postoperative Hb change.

Conclusions

Surgical time and dominant myoma diameter are independent predictors of the postoperative Hb drop after LM.

Uterine Suspension With Adjustable Sutures for Difficult Laparoscopic Myomectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess whether transabdominal uterine suspension with adjustable sutures (USAS) is beneficial when performed concomitantly with laparoscopic myomectomy in patients with unfavorably localized leiomyomas in whom uterine manipulators are not an option.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

A university teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Patients (N = 158) with posterior deep intramural, intraligamental, or cervical leiomyomas; 81 patients underwent USAS (suspension group), and 77 patients did not (control group) concomitantly with laparoscopic myomectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Transabdominal USAS was performed for all eligible patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy using a 2-0 synthetic, monofilament, nonabsorbable polypropylene suture. One end of the double-headed straight needles of the polypropylene suture was inserted into the pelvic cavity through the abdomen to "lift" or "retract" the uterus to allow for the main tumor to be completely exposed and excised.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The average time to create USAS was 2.5 minutes. For the suspension and control groups, the average number of abdominal ports was 3 and 4.4 (p < .001), the average blood loss was 96.3 and 201.5 mL (p < .001), and the average operative time was 50.8 and 91.2 minutes (p < .001), respectively. There was no significant difference in complications (4.9% vs 9.1%, p = .303), but there was a significant difference in conversion to laparotomy (1.2% vs 10.4%, p = .009). At the 3-year follow-up, there were no significant differences in gynecologic and reproductive outcomes, including leiomyoma recurrence, uterine rupture, and pregnancy and live birth rates. The ratio of conversion to laparotomy (odds ratio = 0.108; 95% confidence interval, 0.013-0.884) was much lower in the suspension group.

CONCLUSION

USAS is an easy, safe, and feasible alternative to uterine manipulation when performed concomitantly with laparoscopic myomectomy for unfavorably localized uterine leiomyomas.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Myomectomy in Large Myomas With and Without Leuprolide Acetate

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) use before laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) in large myomas.

DESIGN

Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).

SETTING

University-affiliated hospital.

PATIENTS

Ninety-one women with large myomas (≥10 cm) or more than 2 myomas ≥ 5 cm underwent LM between July 2011 and March 2014.

INTERVENTIONS

Forty patients underwent LM after GnRHa use (group A) and 51 underwent LM only (group B). GnRHa was used for 3 doses every 4 weeks before LM in group A.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Group A had a significantly smaller maximum diameter of the largest myoma than group B (8.5 ± 2.1 vs 10.7 ± 2.4, p < .001) and fewer patients with myomas larger than 10 cm after GnRHa administration (33% vs 67%, p = .001). In group A, there was a decrease in 2 or more myomas ≥ 5 cm (20% vs 50%) after GnRHa use. Group A also had significantly smaller mean myoma weight (448 vs 567 g, p = .045) and significantly shorter mean operative time (129 ± 30 vs 152 ± 34 minutes, p = .001). Most patients in group A (40%) had an operative time < 119 minutes, whereas most patients in group B (37%) had an operative time between 150 and 179 minutes. Group A also had less intraoperative blood loss (84 ± 53 vs 137 ± 166 mL, p < .001), drop in hemoglobin (1.5 ± 0.8 vs 3.0 ± 1.7 g/dl, p < .001), excessive bleeding (5% vs 33%, p = .001), postoperative hematoma (2.5% vs 9.8%, p = .168), and blood transfusion (7.5% vs 35%, p = .001).

CONCLUSION

GnRHa before LM in large myomas may be an effective adjuvant treatment for women with large and multiple myomas. This method is beneficial in decreasing operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hemorrhage, and need of blood transfusion.

Application of simultaneous morcellation in situ in laparoscopic myomectomy of larger uterine leiomyomas

OBJECTIVES

To describe the efficiency, blood loss, operating time and mean hospital stay of enucleation of a large myoma by 'simultaneous morcellation in situ' (SMI) in laparoscopic myomectomy (LM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with leiomyomas >9 cm in diameter were treated using LM and SMI from January 2006 to December 2009. Patient characteristics and operative data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The average operating time was 106.4 ± 38.5 min (range 50-175 min). The average blood loss was 278.2 ± 164.6 ml (range 50-800 ml). There was no other complication, and no patient underwent conversion to laparotomy. The average postoperative hospital stay was 5.4 ± 0.2 days (range 5-7 days).

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed that SMI is an efficient and safe way to remove large uterine myomas (>9 cm) during LM.