GINECOLOGIE

Miomectomia laparoscopică la pacientele de vârstă fertilă

 Laparoscopic myomectomy in women of reproductive age

First published: 27 decembrie 2018

Editorial Group: MEDICHUB MEDIA

DOI: 10.26416/Gine.22.4.2018.2142

Abstract

Uterine leiomyoma represents the most common benign tumour in women of reproductive age, with a prevalence of 20-50%. Most women are asymptomatic, but 30% of them report mettrorhagia, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, urinary and bowel symptoms or infertility. Symptomatic fibromas and the desire for childbearing are the most common indications for myomectomy. Some patients are candidates for laparoscopic myomectomy. 

Keywords
myomectomy, uterine fibromas, laparoscopic myomectomy

Rezumat

Mioamele uterine reprezintă cea mai frecventă patologie gi­ne­cologică benignă la pacientele în premenopauză, având o prevalenţă de 20-50%. Majoritatea pacientelor sunt asimpto­matice, dar 30% dintre acestea se pot prezenta pen­tru metroragii, pelvialgii, infertilitate, dispareunie, simp­to­ma­to­logie urinară iritativă sau simptomatologie digestivă. Fibroa­me­le uterine simptomatice la pacientele tinere care optează pen­tru prezervarea fertilităţii reprezintă principala indicaţie pen­tru miomectomie. Unele paciente vor fi candidate pentru mio­mec­to­mie laparoscopică. 

Introduction

Uterine leiomyoma represents the most common benign tumour in women of reproductive age, with a prevalence cited in the literature of 20-50%(1). Most patients are asymptomatic, but 30% of patients with fibromatous uterus may develop metrorrhagia, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, low urinary symptomatology, digestive symptoms and infertility.

Multiple therapeutic options are proposed for the treatment of uterine fibroids, which are divided into surgical and non-surgical methods. Choosing the optimal surgical method depends on several factors, some patients being candidates for laparoscopic surgery. The first laparoscopic excision of subserous fibroids was described in 1979(2), and it was practiced for intramural myomas in 1990(3-6).

Hysterectomies are usually performed for symptomatic uterine fibroids(7,8). Minimally invasive approach has taken the place of classical myomectomies practiced for decades as treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids(9).

Patient selection/indications

The primary indication for laparoscopic myomectomy is the excision of subserous and intramural fibroids. During laparoscopy, if submucosal myomas are present, the concomitant hysteroscopy can be performed.

The inclusion criteria for laparoscopic treatment is important in order to ensure a successful intervention. This is defined by minimal postoperative complications and the lack of laparotomy conversion. Currently, literature data are insufficient and the success depends mostly on the gynecologist’s learning curve. The main features that influence the way of approaching the myomas by laparotomy or laparoscopy are the location, the relationship with pelvic/abdominal important structures, the depth of myometrium penetration, the size and the number of fibroids. Sizzi et al. published the results of the largest prospective study which included 2050 patients with laparoscopic myomectomy from January 1996 to December 2004. The authors report that the most important risk factors for major complications, such as blood transfusions and the rate of failure of surgery, are the number of fibroids (more than three), intraligamentar localization of the tumors, and especially the fibroma size (over 5 cm). The intramural localization was associated with an increase of minor complications(10).

Myomectomy

Using a manipulator facilitates the myomas excision and the suturing of the uterus by mobilizing the uterus according to the tumor location (Figure 1).
 

Figure 1. Posterior uterine fibroid (Filantropia Hospital Collection – dr. Nicolae Gică)
Figure 1. Posterior uterine fibroid (Filantropia Hospital Collection – dr. Nicolae Gică)

One of the techniques used to reduce bleeding is the injection of the subcapsular space with dilute vasopressin(11), but there are several important complications reported, such as pulmonary edema, severe hypotension and bradycardia(12). The horizontal or vertical incision can be made using a monopolar (hook or scissor) in order to reduce bleeding(13,14). After highlighting the myoma pseudocapsule, the myoma can be easily enucleated, especially if the avascular cleavage plan is found (Figure 2).
 

Figure 2. Uterine fibroid enucleation (Filantropia Hospital Collection – dr. Nicolae Gică)
Figure 2. Uterine fibroid enucleation (Filantropia Hospital Collection – dr. Nicolae Gică)

The suture of the uterus is practiced in one or more layers, and it is of particular importance for scar resistance during a future pregnancy and labor(12,14). Slow absorbable material will be used (Figure 3).
 

Figure 3. Double-sided suture post-myomectomy (Filantropia Hospital Collection – dr. Nicolae Gică)
Figure 3. Double-sided suture post-myomectomy (Filantropia Hospital Collection – dr. Nicolae Gică)

The specimen can be extracted using mechanical or electrical morcellator. Since 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discouraged the use of morcellation to extract the specimens. The morcellation is recommended using an “endo-bag” to reduce the risk of intraabdominal dissemination of tumor tissue (undiagnosed preoperatively) if laparoscopic myomectomy/hysterectomy is the most appropriate therapeutic method.

Laparoscopy or laparotomy?

The laparoscopic myomectomy offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Since Semm performed the first laparoscopic myomectomy(2), multiple studies and articles have been published regarding the safety and feasibility of the technique. Retrospective studies have shown that laparoscopic myomectomy is associated with lower blood loss, reduced morbidity and hospitalization period(15,16).

In a double-blind study, Holzer et al. compared pain scores within 72 hours postoperatively in patients who underwent laparoscopic and classical myomectomy, and demonstrated that laparoscopic myomectomy is associated with a significantly reduced pain than classic myomectomy(17).

Postoperative peritoneal adhesions are reported in 93% of the post-laparotomy cases(18), and the consequences may be unfavorable for the prognosis of women fertility, with a negative impact in patients who underwent myomectomy for infertility.

Kubinova et al. performed a “second-look” study with a total of 96 patients who underwent laparoscopic and classical myomectomy. They reported an intraabdominal adherence rate of 96.65% post-classical myomectomy and 71.43% post-laparoscopic myomectomy. The adhesion density was much higher after laparotomy, and the incidence of adnexal adhesions de novo after classic myomectomy was 89.29%, in contrast to 10.6% after laparoscopic myomectomy, an important factor which may compromise fertility(19).

In conclusion, although laparoscopic myomectomy cannot completely prevent the formation of adhesions, it can at least greatly reduce their post-surgery incidence.

The involvement of uterine fibroids in infertility etiopathogenesis is controversial. Submucosal uterine fibroids can reduce fertility rates, and their excision can improve the fertility prognosis(20). Subserous fibroids do not influence fertility prognosis, and the impact of intramuscular fibroids on fertility prognosis is still uncertain(21).

The risk of uterine rupture post-myomectomy is an important cause of concern in patients undergoing myomectomy with the purpose to improve the fertility prognosis. Some cases of uterine rupture are reported after both classical myomectomy and laparoscopic methods(22,23,24). The risk factors for uterine rupture include tissue necrosis due to excessive electrocoagulation after haemostasis(25), the formation of hematomas or inappropriate suture of the uterus(26). Therefore, some authors recommend the suture of myometrial defect in several layers(25,27). In a prospective study, Kumakiri et al. concluded that uterine rupture following laparoscopic myomectomy is a rare event during pregnancy, and that vaginal birth can be performed under safe conditions for a particular patient population(27).

Conclusions

Symptomatic uterine fibroids are the main indication for laparoscopic myomectomy and fertility preservation. Laparoscopic myomectomy has numerous advantages than classical myomectomy, such as lower blood loss, reduced hospitalization, low overall morbidity and less postoperative pain. The rate of postoperative adhesions is lower for laparoscopic myomectomy. The vaginal delivery post-laparoscopic myomectomy can be performed under safe conditions.  

 

Conflict of interests: The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Bibliografie

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