Is there an association between thrombosis and fibroids? A single centre experience and literature review

Enhanced Recovery and Surgical Optimization Protocol for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery: An AAGL White Paper

This is the first Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guideline dedicated to standardizing and optimizing perioperative care for women undergoing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. The guideline was rigorously formulated by an American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists Task Force of US and Canadian gynecologic surgeons with special interest and experience in adapting ERAS practices for patients requiring minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. It builds on the 2016 ERAS Society recommendations for perioperative care in gynecologic/oncologic surgery by serving as a more comprehensive reference for minimally invasive endoscopic and vaginal surgery for both benign and malignant gynecologic conditions. For example, the section on preoperative optimization provides more specific recommendations derived from the ambulatory surgery and anesthesia literature for the management of anemia, hyperglycemia, and obstructive sleep apnea. Recommendations pertaining to multimodal analgesia account for the recent Food and Drug Administration warnings about respiratory depression from gabapentinoids. The guideline focuses on workflows important to high-value care in minimally invasive surgery, such as same-day discharge, and tackles controversial issues in minimally invasive surgery, such as thromboprophylaxis. In these ways, the guideline supports the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and our collective mission to elevate the quality and safety of healthcare for women through excellence in clinical practice.

Venous Thromboembolism and Adenomyosis: A Retrospective Review

Objectives:

The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients who have been admitted for adenomyosis at our institute and describe their clinical characteristics and management.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who were admitted to the gynecology ward between January 2015 and August 2016 was conducted, and all patients who had adenomyosis were included in this study. Clinical details that were evaluated included age, parity, body mass index, significant comorbidities, size of the uterus on physical examination, the size of the adenomyoma (if present) on pelvic ultrasonography, initial hemoglobin, and hematocrit on admission, whether blood transfusion was required, acute and long-term treatment and whether or not there were any associated VTE and treatment given.

Results:

Forty-one patients were included in this study. Five (12.2%) out of the 41 patients had associated VTE; all five had pulmonary embolism (PE), while two also had a concurrent left lower limb deep-vein thrombosis. Three out of the five patients had worsening menorrhagia following anticoagulation, which gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs were effective in controlling. Four of the five patients eventually underwent a hysterectomy for long-term management of adenomyosis.

Conclusion:

This case series describes a few clinical cases where VTE (particularly PE) has been observed with adenomyosis, the challenges in managing these patients, and effective treatment approaches.

Case series of seven women with uterine fibroids associated with venous thromboembolism and chronic thromboembolic disease

Uterine fibroids have been described as an associate to acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), with case reports showing an association between large uterine fibroids, acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and acute pulmonary embolism (PE). However, there is little known about the association or causation between uterine fibroids, chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED), and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We report on six women with uterine fibroids and CTEPH, as well as one woman with CTED, all of whom presented with exertional dyspnea, lower extremity swelling, and in the cases of CTEPH, clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic evidence of pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. Compression of the pelvic veins by fibroids was directly observed with invasive venography or contrast-enhanced computed tomography in five cases. All seven women underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) followed by marked improvement in functional, clinical, and hemodynamic status.

Bleeding versus Clotting: A Complex Case of a Large Fibroid Uterus Causing Menorrhagia and a DVT

A 43-year-old woman presented with severe anaemia secondary to menorrhagia. Pelvic ultrasound showed a large intramural posterior fundal fibroid. Hysteroscopy showed the fibroid distorting the endometrial cavity, precluding Mirena® device insertion. As she was initially hesitant to have a hysterectomy, medical management with the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and tranexamic acid was instituted, with good effect. Months later, after a long road trip, she presented with left leg swelling, and a Doppler ultrasound confirmed an extensive deep vein thrombosis (DVT). She was commenced on warfarin for anticoagulation but presented again with menorrhagia precipitated by overanticoagulation. After initial stabilization with multiple blood transfusions and reversal of anticoagulation, the warfarin was ceased in favour of enoxaparin and she underwent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion prior to a total abdominal hysterectomy. Mass effect from large uterine fibroids can cause venous thromboembolism (VTE). A duplex ultrasound of the lower limbs if a woman presents with a large fibroid could identify asymptomatic DVTs in such women. A prehysterectomy IVC filter would then reduce their risk of postoperative pulmonary embolism. Medical management of menorrhagia with procoagulants should be avoided for management of menorrhagia in such women given their higher risk of developing VTE.

Venous thromboembolism secondary to uterine fibroids: a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens and review of the literature

Uterine fibroids are usually benign soft tissue tumors, however, when they become large, they can cause external venous compression. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with phlegmasia cerulea dolens from a large uterine fibroid. She was successfully treated with hysterectomy, venous thrombectomy, and fasciotomy. We review the literature for previous reports of venous thromboembolism resulting from uterine fibroids. The patient characteristics, thrombotic complications, and treatment modalities are reviewed.