Practice Patterns and Complications of Benign Hysterectomy Following the FDA Statement Warning Against the Use of Power Morcellation

Prognosis and treatment of uterine sarcoma found incidentally after myomectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine prognosis and factors associated with survival of women with uterine sarcoma found incidentally after myomectomy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study for patients who had previously undergone myomectomy for presumed benign uterine fibroid disease and were found to have uterine confined sarcoma after myomectomy surgery.

RESULTS

In total, 50 patients were identified. There were 23 (46.0 %) patients undergoing myomectomy were performed by minimal invasive surgery: laparoscopic (Lap, n = 22, 44.0 %) or transvaginal (TV, n = 1, 2.0 %) approach; while, 24 (48.0 %) and 3 (6.0 %) patients had myomectomy through abdominal (Abd) or hysteroscopic (Hys) approach. All patients received the re-exploration and staging surgery in our center. The median time from myomectomy to the staging surgery was 43 days (range 15-90 days). 17 patients had remnant sarcomas on the remaining uterus and 6 patients had disseminated disease after re-exploration. In the entire cohort, 5-year RFS and 5-year OS was 79.4 % and 88.0 %, respectively. Patients who received initial Lap/TV myomectomy had a tendency towards a worse 5-year RFS compared with Abd/Hys approach (63.0 % vs 88.9 %, P = 0.080). No difference in 5-year OS was found between the two groups (90.3 % vs 91.8 %, P = 0.768). For stage I disease (n = 44), patients who received Lap/TV myomectomy had a worse 5-year RFS compared with Abd/Hys approach (58.3 % vs 95.7 %, P = 0.009). No difference in 5-year OS was found (P = 0.121).

CONCLUSION

Patients with incidental uterine sarcoma who received primary Lap/TV myomectomy may have a worse RFS. Re-exploration can detect remnant or disseminated sarcomas.

Currently Available Treatment Modalities for Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas and myomas) are the most common benign gynecological condition in patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic masses causing pressure or pain, infertility and obstetric complications. Almost a third of women with fibroids need treatment due to symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

In this review we present all currently available treatment modalities for uterine fibroids.

METHODS

An extensive search for the available data regarding surgical, medical and other treatment options for uterine fibroids was conducted.

REVIEW

Nowadays, treatment for fibroids is intended to control symptoms while preserving future fertility. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's age and fertility and the number, size and location of the fibroids. Current management strategies mainly involve surgical interventions (hysterectomy and myomectomy hysteroscopy, laparoscopy or laparotomy). Other surgical and non-surgical minimally invasive techniques include interventions performed under radiologic or ultrasound guidance (uterine artery embolization and occlusion, myolysis, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery, radiofrequency ablation of fibroids and endometrial ablation). Medical treatment options for fibroids are still restricted and available medications (progestogens, combined oral contraceptives andgonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists) are generally used for short-term treatment of fibroid-induced bleeding. Recently, it was shown that SPRMs could be administered intermittently long-term with good results on bleeding and fibroid size reduction. Novel medical treatments are still under investigation but with promising results.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of fibroids must be individualized based on the presence and severity of symptoms and the patient's desire for definitive treatment or fertility preservation.

Oncological outcomes of unexpected uterine leiomyosarcoma: A single-center retrospective analysis of 5528 consecutive hysterectomies

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Uterine leiomyosarcomas (uLMS) are rare malignant tumors, often incidentally discovered, with an estimated annual incidence of five cases per one million women in the United States. This study aimed to compare the oncological outcomes of two groups of patients: those with uLMS incidentally found during surgery and those who underwent surgery due to suspected or confirmed uLMS before the procedure. The study assessed patients who had undergone hysterectomy and were diagnosed with stage I uLMS at a tertiary gynecologic oncology referral center in Italy between January 2000 and December 2019. Data on patients' baseline characteristics, surgical procedures, and oncological outcomes were collected. The patients were classified into two groups based on whether uLMS was unexpectedly discovered or suspected before the surgery. Survival rates and factors influencing recurrence were analyzed.

RESULTS

The study included 36 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, with 12 having preoperatively suspected or proven uLMS and 24 having incidentally discovered uLMS. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding disease-free survival (23.7 vs. 27.3 months, log rank = 0.28), disease-specific survival (median not reached, log rank = 0.78), or sites of relapse. Notably, among patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (compared to open surgery), a significantly higher rate of locoregional recurrence was found (78% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.04). Nevertheless, no significant differences in survival were observed based on the surgical approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative suspicion for uLMS did not seem to impact survival outcomes or the pattern of recurrence. Furthermore, although patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy showed a higher rate of locoregional relapse, this did not affect their overall survival.

Smooth Muscle Tumors of the Uterus at MRI: Focus on Leiomyomas and FIGO Classification

Leiomyomas are smooth muscle tumors of the uterus and are the most common uterine neoplasm. Although leiomyomas are usually asymptomatic, they can manifest with symptoms such as pain or uterine bleeding. Leiomyomas are classified on the basis of their anatomic location and morphology. Localization of leiomyomas relative to the endometrium, myometrium, and uterine serosa with use of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification system is helpful for guiding management in symptomatic patients. The FIGO system is a practical and universally accepted approach for classifying leiomyomas to guide radiologists and clinicians in deciding management. The MRI appearance of conventional leiomyomas is related to their tissue contents of smooth muscle and fibrous tissue and is well established. The MRI features of some leiomyoma subtypes and forms of degeneration also have been described. Other smooth muscle tumors of the uterus recognized in the 2020 World Health Organization classification system include intravenous leiomyomatosis, smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential, and metastasizing leiomyoma. At the far end of the spectrum are leiomyosarcomas, which are frankly malignant and therefore must be managed accordingly. Although MRI features that suggest a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma have been proposed, these features overlap with those of some leiomyoma subtypes and degeneration. ^© RSNA, 2023 See the invited commentary by Fennessy and Gargiulo in this issue. Online supplemental material and the slide presentation from the RSNA Annual Meeting are available for this article. Quiz questions for this article are available through the Online Learning Center.

Mechanical and leakage integrity testing considerations for evaluating the performance of tissue containment systems

Tissue containment systems (TCS) are medical devices that may be used during morcellation procedures during minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. TCS are not new devices but their use as a potential mitigation for the spread of occult malignancy during laparoscopic power morcellation of fibroids and/or the uterus has been the subject of interest following reports of upstaging of previously undetected sarcoma in women who underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Development of standardized test methods and acceptance criteria to evaluate the safety and performance of these devices will speed development, allowing for more devices to benefit patients. As a part of this study, a series of preclinical experimental bench test methods were developed to evaluate the mechanical and leakage performance of TCS that may be used in power morcellation procedures. Experimental tests were developed to evaluate mechanical integrity, e.g., tensile, burst, puncture, and penetration strengths for the TCS, and leakage integrity, e.g., dye and microbiological leakage (both acting as surrogates for blood and cancer cells) through the TCS. In addition, to evaluate both mechanical integrity and leakage integrity as a combined methodology, partial puncture and dye leakage was conducted on the TCS to evaluate the potential for leakage due to partial damage caused by surgical tools. Samples from 7 different TCSs were subjected to preclinical bench testing to evaluate leakage and mechanical performance. The performance of the TCSs varied significantly between different brands. The leakage pressure of the TCS varied between 26 and > 1293 mmHg for the 7 TCS brands. Similarly, the tensile force to failure, burst pressure, and puncture force varied between 14 and 80 MPa, 2 and 78 psi, and 2.5 N and 47 N, respectively. The mechanical failure and leakage performance of the TCS were different for homogeneous and composite TCSs. The test methods reported in this study may facilitate the development and regulatory review of these devices, may help compare TCS performance between devices, and increase provider and patient accessibility to improved tissue containment technologies.

Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy followed by in-bag transvaginal corpus uteri morcellation and extraction: A case series

OBJECTIVES

Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy (LSH) is a possible treatment for patients with benign uterine disease. Once the hysterectomy has been completed, morcellation and extraction of the corpus uteri is a crucial step of the procedure. We here present a case series to evaluate the feasibility of the in-bag transvaginal specimen retrieval following LSH.

STUDY DESIGN

We report a case series of consecutive patients who underwent LSH followed by in-bag transvaginal specimen retrieval. LSH was accomplished in a standard fashion. Once the uterus was detached from the cervix, a 2 cm posterior colpotomy was performed laparoscopically with a monopolar hook under direct view to insert a specimen retrieval bag into the abdomen. The corpus uteri was placed into the bag and transvaginal contained manual morcellation was performed. The colpotomy was then sutured transvaginally. Baseline patients' characteristics and surgical data were collected. Postoperative complications, same-hospital readmissions, and reoperations were registered if occurred within 30 days from surgery.

RESULTS

Patients' median age and BMI were 45,5 and 22,7, respectively. Median operative time was 71.5 min (range 34-143) and uterus weight ranged from 60 g to 470 g (median 210 g). The estimated blood loss was 100 mL (median) and no blood transfusion was required. No conversions to open surgery, nor intraoperative complications occurred. Median hospital stay was 2 days (1-3) and no postoperative complications within 30 days from surgery were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

LSH followed by in-bag transvaginal specimen extraction is a promising technique and might be considered a reliable and safe option to further reduce the invasiveness of the procedure.

Percutaneous Uterine Needle Biopsy with Microscopic and Array-CGH Analyses for Preoperative Sarcoma Diagnosis in Patients with Suspicious Myometrial Tumors on MRI: A Prospective Pilot Study (SARCGYN)

BACKGROUND

Unlike for soft tissue sarcomas, percutaneous biopsy is not validated for uterine myometrial tumors, leading to leiomyosarcoma inadvertent morcellation and overtreatment in childbearing patients. This study aimed to evaluate preoperative percutaneous uterine needle biopsy (PUB) with microscopic examination (M-PUB) and array-comparative genomic hybridization (MCGH-PUB).

METHODS

This was a prospective single-center cohort study including all consecutive patients who were candidates for hysterectomy because of suspected uterine leiomyosarcoma on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) who received PUB. Microscopic and array-CGH analyses with genomic index (GI) counts were performed to guide the therapeutic strategy. Smooth-muscle tumors with suspect features with a GI above 15 were deemed malignant, as were tumors without microscopic malignant features with a complex genomic profile (GI above 30 or malignant profile). Preoperative diagnoses based on M-PUB and MCGH-PUB were compared with the postsurgical pathological specimen or follow-up.

RESULTS

From November 2016 to February 2022, 34 patients were included. Based on the surgical specimen (N = 23) or follow-up (N = 11), final diagnoses were 11 sarcomas and 23 non-sarcomas. The median follow-up was 12 months (IQR 6-37). The diagnostic accuracies of M-PUB and MCGH-PUB were 94% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of MCGH-PUB were 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. A high GI was significantly associated with malignancy (P < 0.001). Genomic analyses allowed malignancy upgrades for four tumors. There were no complications and no dissemination along the biopsy track.

CONCLUSION

MCGH-PUB is safe and accurate for preoperatively diagnosing uterine sarcomas and should be used routinely after suspicious MRI to tailor surgery.

Comparison of laparoscopic enclosed electromechanical morcellation and vaginal enclosed scalpel morcellation at laparoscopic myomectomy: A prospective randomized trial

AIM

This study aimed to compare the laparoscopic-enclosed electromechanical morcellation (LEM) with vaginal-enclosed scalpel morcellation (VSM) in laparoscopic myomectomy procedures.

METHODS

One hundred eighteen patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy were enrolled the prospective randomized interventional clinical study in tertiary university hospital. After myomectomy, tissue removal was accomplished via either LEM using the in-glove morcellation technique or VSM.

RESULTS

The median tissue removal time was longer in the LEM group (25 min [range: 14-55]) than the VSM group (20 min [range: 6-38] [p = 0.001]). Rescue analgesia requirement was significantly higher in the LEM group than the VSM group (mean rank: 56.92 vs. 40.92 doses, respectively; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative third month total scores of female sexual function index (FSFI) and subdomains in the LEM group. Conversely, all subdomains and total scores of FSFI (26.5 [16.7-34.8] vs. 22.7 [15.2-28.7]) except pain significantly worsened 3 months after operation in the VSM group.

CONCLUSIONS

LEM was associated with a longer tissue removal time and increased postoperative analgesic requirement. On the other hand, VSM was associated with worsened postoperative sexual function from baseline.

Predicting major complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open hysterectomy for benign indications

BACKGROUND

Hysterectomy, the most common gynecological operation, requires surgeons to counsel women about their operative risks. We aimed to develop and validate multivariable logistic regression models to predict major complications of laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions.

METHODS

We obtained routinely collected health administrative data from the English National Health Service (NHS) from 2011 to 2018. We defined major complications based on core outcomes for postoperative complications including ureteric, gastrointestinal and vascular injury, and wound complications. We specified 11 predictors a priori. We used internal-external cross-validation to evaluate discrimination and calibration across 7 NHS regions in the development cohort. We validated the final models using data from an additional NHS region.

RESULTS

We found that major complications occurred in 4.4% (3037/68 599) of laparoscopic and 4.9% (6201/125 971) of abdominal hysterectomies. Our models showed consistent discrimination in the development cohort (laparoscopic, C-statistic 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60 to 0.62; abdominal, C-statistic 0.67, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.70) and similar or better discrimination in the validation cohort (laparoscopic, C-statistic 0.67, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.69; abdominal, C-statistic 0.67, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.69). Adhesions were most predictive of complications in both models (laparoscopic, odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.73 to 2.13; abdominal, OR 2.46, 95% CI 2.27 to 2.66). Other factors predictive of complications included adenomyosis in the laparoscopic model, and Asian ethnicity and diabetes in the abdominal model. Protective factors included age and diagnoses of menstrual disorders or benign adnexal mass in both models and diagnosis of fibroids in the abdominal model.

INTERPRETATION

Personalized risk estimates from these models, which showed moderate discrimination, can inform clinical decision-making for people with benign conditions who may require hysterectomy.

The incidence of unexpected uterine malignancies in hysterectomies carried out for benign indications

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of unexpected uterine malignancies in patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications and to evaluate their clinical characteristics.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent benign hysterectomy in the Department of Gynecology, the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2015 to December 2020. The clinical data of these patients were retrieved and collected.

RESULTS

Their median age was 49.8 years (31-82 years). The mean parity was 1.86 ± 2.54. Their mean BMI was 27.5 ± 7.6 kg/m2. 42.90% were (2438/5683) postmenopausal. The benign indications of procedure were as follows: symptomatic uterine leiomyomas 2218/5683 (39.02%), pelvic organ prolapse 1406/5683 (24.74%), symptomatic endometriosis or adenomyosis 1132/5683 (19.91%), and 927/5683 (16.31%) to treat other benign conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, infection, polyps, and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. In minimally invasive surgery subgroups, 1560/2621 (59.52%) specimens were removed by in-bag manual morcellation through vaginal cuff. The mean operative time of minimally invasive surgery with in-bag morcellation was shorter than abdominal hysterectomy (96.75 ± 35.7 vs. 140 ± 32.6, P < .001), and the estimated blood loss was also less than abdominal hysterectomy (47.35 ± 42.3 vs. 170 ± 60.4, P < .001). A total of 19/5683 (0.33%) unexpected uterine malignancies were recorded, of which 14/5683 (0.26%) were unexpected endometrial carcinomas and 5/5683 (0.08%) were unexpected uterine sarcomas.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative examination in the context of benign hysterectomy must be undertaken with care, and patients should be educated about the very slight possibility of a malignant diagnosis.

Containment Bag Use Among Women Who Undergo Hysterectomy With Laparoscopic Power Morcellation

OBJECTIVE

To estimate trends in use of laparoscopic power morcellators in women undergoing minimally invasive hysterectomy and to examine use of containment systems in these patients in relation to safety guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

METHODS

We examined data that were recorded in the Premier Healthcare Database from patients who underwent laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy from 2010 to 2018. Patients were stratified based on use of laparoscopic power morcellators. The cohort was further stratified as either pre-FDA guidance (2010 quarter 1-2014 quarter 1) or post-FDA guidance (2014 quarter 2-2018 quarter 2). Interrupted time series analyses were performed to determine the effect of FDA guidance on the use of laparoscopic power morcellators and containment bags.

RESULTS

Among 67,115 patients, laparoscopic power morcellator use decreased from 66.7% in 2013 quarter 4 to 13.3% by 2018 quarter 2. The likelihood of laparoscopic power morcellator use decreased by 9.5% for each quarter elapsed in the post-FDA warning period (risk ratio [RR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.90-0.91). Containment bag use rose from 5.2% in 2013 quarter 4 to 15.2% by 2018 quarter 2. The likelihood of containment bag use increased by 3% for each quarter elapsed in the post-FDA warning period (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05). Among women who had laparoscopic power morcellator use, uterine cancers or sarcomas were identified in 54 (0.17%) before the FDA guidance compared with seven (0.12%) after the guidance ( P =.45). Containment bags were used in 11.1% of women with uterine cancers or sarcomas before the FDA guidance compared with 14.3% after the guidance ( P =.12). The perioperative complication rate was 3.3% among women who had laparoscopic power morcellator use without a containment bag compared with 4.5% ( P =.001) in those with a containment bag (aRR 1.35, 95% CI 1.12-1.64).

CONCLUSION

Use of laparoscopic power morcellators has decreased over time. Containment bag use increased after the FDA's 2014 guidance; however, most procedures employing laparoscopic power morcellators are still performed without a containment bag.

Information, relative skill, and technology abandonment

We study the role of relative task-specific skill in explaining the heterogeneity in physicians' technology abandonment decisions in response to negative information shocks. We show that after an unexpected FDA safety warning on the use of minimally invasive hysterectomies, physicians alter their procedural mix towards open procedures and away from the minimally invasive procedures. This effect is less pronounced for physicians more skilled in performing minimally invasive procedures relative to open procedures, highlighting relative skill as an explanation for differential technology abandonment. Since physicians with higher relative skill are more likely to use minimally invasive procedures before the FDA safety communication, we find that the FDA intervention led to a substantial increase in practice variation across physicians with different relative skill levels. These findings are consistent with a theoretical model that predicts physicians' response to new information regarding the effectiveness of medical technology.

Safety Warning about Laparoscopic Power Morcellation in Hysterectomy: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of National Impact

Background:

Following a 2014 safety warning (that laparoscopic power morcellation may increase tumor dissemination if patients have occult uterine cancer), hysterectomy practice shifted from laparoscopic to abdominal approach. This avoided morcellating occult cancer, but increased perioperative complications. To inform the national impact of this practice change, we examined the cost-effectiveness of hysterectomy practice in the postwarning period, in comparison to counterfactual hysterectomy practice had there been no morcellation warning.

Materials and Methods:

We constructed a decision tree model to simulate relevant outcomes over the lifetime of patients in the national population undergoing hysterectomy for presumed benign indications. The model accounted for both hysterectomy- and occult cancer-related outcomes. Probability-, cost-, and utility weight-related input parameters were derived from analysis of the State Inpatient Databases, State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases, data from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and New York State Cancer Registry, and published literature.

Results:

With an estimated national sample of 353,567 adult women, base case analysis showed that changes in hysterectomy practice after the morcellation warning led to a net gain of 867.15 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), but an increase of $19.54 million in costs (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio = $22,537/QALY). In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the practice changes were cost-effective in 54.0% of the simulations when evaluated at a threshold of $50,000/QALY, which increased to 70.9% when evaluated at a threshold of $200,000/QALY.

Conclusion:

Hysterectomy practice changes induced by the morcellation warning are expected to be cost-effective, but uncertainty in parameter values may affect the cost-effectiveness results.

A Novel Multi-Port Containment System for Laparoscopic Power Morcellation to Prevent Tumoral Spread: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective

To report a novel multi-port containment (NMC) system for laparoscopic power morcellation to prevent tumoral spread and to evaluate its safety, validity, and feasibility.

Methods

This retrospective study included women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) between January 2014 and August 2020 at a single academic institution. The NMC system was used in the study group (n = 193); the control group underwent unprotected LM (n = 1753).

Results

After 1:1 propensity score matching, no significant differences in the baseline characteristics were observed between 193 matched pairs. Bag damages were detected in two cases in the study group before morcellation, and the NMC systems were replaced. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the complications, total operative time, estimated blood loss, or postoperative hospitalization duration. In the study group, all operations were completed and no system rupture or leakage was observed. The median follow-up times were 21 and 54 months in the study and control groups, respectively. There was no peritoneal tissue spread in the study group. However, three (3/5, 0.6%) and six (6/1,753, 0.3%) patients in the control group experienced malignant and benign peritoneal tissue spread, respectively.

Conclusion

The NMC system for laparoscopic power morcellation is valid, safe, and feasible for preventing a tumor spread.

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.

What We Know about the Long-Term Risks of Hysterectomy for Benign Indication-A Systematic Review

Hysterectomy is the most common treatment option in women with uterine fibroids, providing definitive relief from the associated burdensome symptoms. As with all surgical interventions, hysterectomy is associated with risk of complications, short-term morbidities, and mortality, all of which have been described previously. However, information on the potential long-term risks of hysterectomy is only recently becoming available. A systematic literature review was performed to identify studies published between 2005 and December 2020 evaluating the long-term impact of hysterectomy on patient outcomes. A total of 29 relevant studies were identified. A review of the articles showed that hysterectomy may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, certain cancers, the need for further surgery, early ovarian failure and menopause, depression, and other outcomes. It is important to acknowledge that the available studies examine possible associations and hypotheses rather than causality, and there is a need to establish higher quality studies to truly evaluate the long-term consequences of hysterectomy. However, it is of value to consider these findings when discussing the benefits and risks of all treatment options with patients with uterine fibroids to allow for preference-based choices to be made in a shared decision-making process. This is key to ensuring that patients receive the treatment that best meets their individual needs.

Racial and ethnic disparities in access to minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for benign pathology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review current US literature and describe the extent, source, and impact of disparities that exist among Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in surgical route and outcomes for hysterectomy, myomectomy, and endometriosis surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite the nationwide trend toward minimally invasive surgery (MIS), BIPOC women are disproportionally less likely to undergo MIS hysterectomy and myomectomy and have higher rates of perioperative complications. African American women, in particular, receive significantly disparate care. Contemporary literature on the prevalence of endometriosis in BIPOC women is lacking. Further, there is little data on the racial and ethnic differences in endometriosis surgery access and outcomes.

SUMMARY

Racial and ethnic disparities in access to minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for benign pathology exist and these differences are not fully accounted for by patient, socioeconomic, or healthcare infrastructure factors. Initiatives that incentivize hiring surgeons trained to perform complex gynecologic surgery, standardized pathways for route of surgery, quality improvement focused on increased hospital MIS volume, and hospital-based public reporting of MIS volume data may be of benefit for minimizing disparities. Further, initiatives to reduce disparities need to address racism, implicit bias, and healthcare structural issues that perpetuate disparities.

Uterine Morcellation for Presumed Leiomyomas: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 822

ABSTRACT

Morcellation is a surgical technique used to reduce the size of the uterus or myomas by creating smaller pieces to allow the tissue to be removed through small incisions or with laparoscopic instruments. Open (uncontained) morcellation of the uterus and myomas has been scrutinized because of the possible spread of an unsuspected leiomyosarcoma while using a power morcellator during a hysterectomy or myomectomy for presumed symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Before considering morcellation of the uterus, a woman should be evaluated to determine if she is at increased risk of malignancy of the uterine corpus. Morcellation of a malignancy is contraindicated and women should be evaluated preoperatively to identify malignancy. However, leiomyosarcoma cannot be reliably diagnosed preoperatively; thus, there is a risk that a woman with a presumed leiomyoma may have a malignancy that may be spread through morcellation, leading to a potentially worsened prognosis. Although an abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy may reduce the chance of spreading cancer cells in women with undiagnosed leiomyosarcoma, it is associated with increased morbidity when compared with minimally invasive approaches. The obstetrician-gynecologist and patient should engage in shared decision making, including informed consent, explaining the risks and benefits of each approach to surgery for presumed leiomyomas, the risks and benefits of morcellation, and alternatives to morcellation.

Removing the large uterus without morcellation - The Colpo-V incision for specimen extraction at hysterectomy

BACKGROUND

Hysterectomy is the most commonly performed benign gynaecological surgery. Recently, the rates of minimally invasive hysterectomy have fallen due to the banning of mechanical morcellation techniques that rendered minimal invasive gynaecology surgeons unable to extract large uteri from the relatively small colpotomy incisions.

AIMS

This study aims to share our experience in utilising Colpo-V incision to remove large uterine specimens transvaginally and report its success and complication rates to promote a minimal invasive approach in patients with large uteri without the need to perform large abdominal incisions or transabdominal morcellation.

METHODS

This is a prospective case series study in which women with large uteri and|or narrow vaginal canal underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy and a subsequent posterior vaginal wall incision (Colpo-V) to facilitate the intact extraction of the uterus through the vagina. Patients were seen in the clinic six weeks after the surgery for post-operative assessment and documentation of late complications.

RESULTS

Seventeen women underwent the procedure, and the intact extraction of the specimen was successful in 16 out of the 17 cases (94%). No major complications were encountered during or after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Colpo-V incision is a simple and effective technique for the intact extraction of larger uterine specimens at hysterectomy.

Hospital variation in responses to safety warnings about power morcellation in hysterectomy

BACKGROUND

Safety warnings about power morcellation in 2014 considerably changed hysterectomy practice, especially for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy that typically requires morcellation to remove the corpus uteri while preserving the cervix. Hospitals might vary in how they respond to safety warnings and altered hysterectomy procedures to avoid use of power morcellation. However, there has been little data on how hospitals differ in their practice changes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine whether hospitals varied in their use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy after safety warnings about power morcellation and compare the risk of surgical complications at hospitals that had different response trajectories in use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective analysis of data from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and the State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases from 14 other states. We identified women aged ≥18 years undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications in the hospital inpatient and outpatient settings from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2015. We calculated a risk-adjusted utilization rate of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy for each hospital in each calendar quarter after accounting for patient clinical risk factors. Applying a growth mixture modeling approach, we identified distinct groups of hospitals that exhibited different trajectories of using laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy over time. Within each trajectory group, we compared patients' risk of surgical complications in the prewarning (2013Q4-2014Q1), transition (2014Q2-2014Q4), and postwarning (2015Q1-2015Q3) period using multivariable regressions.

RESULTS

Among 212,146 women undergoing benign hysterectomy at 511 hospitals, the use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy decreased from 15.1% in 2013Q4 to 6.2% in 2015Q3. The use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy at these 511 hospitals exhibited 4 distinct trajectory patterns: persistent low use (mean risk-adjusted utilization rate of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy changed from 2.8% in 2013Q4 to 0.6% in 2015Q3), decreased medium use (17.0% to 6.9%), decreased high use (51.4% to 24.2%), and rapid abandonment (30.5% to 0.8%). In the meantime, use of open abdominal hysterectomy increased by 2.1, 4.1, 7.8, and 11.8 percentage points between the prewarning and postwarning periods in these 4 trajectory groups, respectively. Compared with the prewarning period, the risk of major complications in the postwarning period decreased among patients at "persistent low use" hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.94). In contrast, the risk of major complications increased among patients at "rapid abandonment" hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.98), and the risk of minor complications increased among patients at "decreased high use" hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.72).

CONCLUSION

Hospitals varied in their use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy after safety warnings about power morcellation. Complication risk increased at hospitals that shifted considerably toward open abdominal hysterectomy.

Should the risk for uterine cancer influence decision making for prophylactic hysterectomy in BRCA1/2 mutated patients- a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To study the possible association between uterine cancer and the BRCA1/2 associated cancer syndrome and discuss the implications of such an association on the clinical managment of patients with BRCA1/2 mutations.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Study protocol was prospectively registered at PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (registration number CRD42020193496). Considered for inclusion were studies providing the diagnosis rate of uterine cancer in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations by comparing observed and expected rate according to a known disease incidence. The results were measured by standardized incidence ratio (SIR). The primary outcome was defined as any uterine cancer diagnosis and subgroup analyses were conducted for uterine serous papillary cancer (USPC) specifically and for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations separately.

RESULTS

4591 records were identified through database search; eight studies were finally included, comprising 13,098 patients with BRCA1/2 mutations. BRCA1/2 mutated patients were found to have a significantly higher risk for uterine cancer compared to the general population (SIR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.76-2.8, p < 0.001). A higher incidence of USPC was also found in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations (SIR = 17.97, 95% CI 9.89-32.66, p < 0.001), as well as in a separate analysis for BRCA1 (SIR = 2.81, 95% CI 2.09-3.79, p < 0.001) and BRCA2 (SIR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.09-2.80, p < 0.001) mutations.

CONCLUSION

Patients who carry a BRCA1/2 mutation are at a significantly higher risk of developing uterine cancer, specifically USPC, supporting that USPC may be a component of the BRCA1/2 syndrome. The decision to perform concurrent hysterectomy at the time of the risk reduction bilateral salpingo -oophorectomy surgery should be considered individually.

Association of Race/Ethnicity with Surgical Route and Perioperative Outcomes of Hysterectomy for Leiomyomas

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the associations among race/ethnicity, route of surgery, and perioperative outcomes for women undergoing hysterectomy for uterine leiomyomas.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Multistate.

PATIENTS

Women who underwent hysterectomies for leiomyomas from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, 2014 to 2017.

INTERVENTIONS

None. Exposures of interest were race/ethnicity and route of surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Racial/ethnic variation in route of surgery and perioperative outcomes. Propensity score matching was employed to control for possible confounders. We identified 20 133 women who underwent nonemergent abdominal hysterectomy (AH), laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH), or vaginal hysterectomy (VH) for leiomyomas. We defined minimally invasive hysterectomy (MIH) as LH or VH. Black women were more likely to have open surgery (AH vs MIH adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.07-2.38; AH vs VH aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.54-2.08; AH vs LH aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 2.13-2.44) than white women. Likewise, Hispanic women were more likely to have open surgery (AH vs MIH aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.58-1.96; AH vs LH aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.61-2.00) than white women. Black women were more likely to experience any complication after hysterectomy (AH aOR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.31-1.80; VH aOR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.02-2.68; LH aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13-1.66) than white women. Hispanic women were less likely than white women to experience major complications after VH (aOR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08-0.98). Compared with white women, the mean length of stay was longer for black women who underwent AH or LH. The mean total operation time was higher for all minority groups (except for Asian/other undergoing AH) regardless of surgical approach.

CONCLUSION

Women of minority race/ethnicity were more likely to undergo abdominal rather than MIH for leiomyomas. Even when controlling for route of surgery, they were more likely to experience perioperative complications.

The Medical Device Applied to Uterine Fibroids Morcellation: Analysis of Critical Biological Issues and Drawbacks from A Medical-Legal Prospective

Following the FDA safety communication of 2014 increasing attention has been to the treatment of uterine fibroids, due to the suspicion of a potential leiomyosarcoma (ULM). FDA banned the use of power morcellation in the US, since this technique is likely to spread malignant cells from an unsuspected ULM. We criticized the medical legal consequences of this banning among gynecologists and patients, focusing on the drawbacks of biology and surgery. The authors analyzed literature data on one side, on the incidence, diagnosis and treatment of leiomyoma and ULM, and the other side, on the power morcellations and related critical issues, trying to highlight their main controversial aspects and to outline the possible impact on patients and on medical responsibility. The alternative methods to power morcellation are more invasive surgical solutions (as mini laparotomy or culdotomy), which inevitably involve associated risks with the surgical procedure as such and always request the containing bags. Although the in-bag morcellation is a promising technique, currently the used devices are largely off-label. This highlights the surgical risk, in case of complications, of suffering for malpractice claims both for not having used a containment system, favoring the spread of the neoplasm, and for its off-label use. Since the diagnosis of ULM is by histology after surgery, the fear of legal consequences or medical malpractice for unknown ULM power morcellation, should be targeted to analyze, in terms of cost/benefit ratio, the surgical priority. It should focus on the prevention of the risk of having a rare and statistically limited ULM or on the surgical-related complications, often linked to a slowdown minimally invasive surgery, or on the use of the authorized in-bag morcellations.

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.

Morcellation of the Uterus: Is There Any Place?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper aims to review recent findings related to uterine morcellation.

RECENT FINDINGS

In 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication warning against the use of laparoscopic power morcellators. A risk of occult uterine sarcoma in women is 1/770 to 1/10,000. Our goal is to minimize the risk of spillage due to morcellation and balance it with other risks due to different surgical approaches. In case of a presence of sarcoma risk factors, any form of morcellation should be contraindicated. Power morcellation should be limited to myomectomies. In peri- and postmenopausal age, an endometrial biopsy is highly recommended before surgery with expected morcellation. It is important to explain to the patient the risks of morcellation and the risks and benefits of different surgical approaches. Finally, women should be informed that the prognosis of leiomyosarcoma is poor regardless of the method of removal.

Medicolegal Issues in Power Morcellation: Cautionary Rules for Gynecologists to Avoid Unfavorable Outcomes

Power morcellation in laparoscopic surgery enables specialists to carry out minimally invasive procedures such as hysterectomies and myomectomies by cutting specimens into smaller pieces using a rotating blade and removing pieces through a laparoscope. Unexpected uterine sarcoma treated by surgery involving tumor disruption could be associated with poor prognosis. The current study aims to shed light on power morcellation from a medicolegal perspective: the procedure has resulted in adverse outcomes and litigation, and compensation for plaintiffs, as published in various journals cited in PubMed and MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and GyneWeb. Considering the claims after the US Food and Drug Administration warnings on morcellation, the current study broadens the scope of research by including search engines, legal databases, and court filings (DeJure, Lexis Nexis, Justia, superior court of New Jersey, and US district court of Minnesota) between 1995 and 2019. Legal records show that courts determine professional responsibility regarding complications, making it essential to document adherence to safety protocols and specific guidelines, when available. Sound medical practices and clearly stated institute best practices result in better patient outcomes and are important when unfavorable clinical outcomes occur; adverse legal decisions can be avoided if there are grounds to prove professional conformity with specific guidelines and the unpredictability of an event.

The Morcellation "Debate" and the FDA 510(k) Process-A Call for Further Reform

Importance

Few gynecologic surgeons understand the mechanism by which surgical instruments are approved for human use and marketing or do they appreciate the central role they play in postmarket surveillance and reporting after instruments have come to market.

Objective

Using the experience with the uterine morcellator, this review will detail the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) system for approving surgical instruments and the potential pitfalls of this process.

Evidence Acquisition

Literature review and public documents from the FDA.

Results

The FDA 510(k) approval process for surgical instruments relies largely on postmarket surveillance as exemplified by the uterine power morcellator, which was approved before sufficient evidence was available regarding its potential harms.

Conclusions

The current system currently transfers the responsibility of ensuring safety and efficacy to the public, patients, and providers. To minimize potential harm, the FDA needs to incorporate a greater standard of evidence into its framework for the approval and regulation of medical devices. The burden of these requirements should be borne at least in part by the companies bringing equipment to market.

Relevance

It is incumbent on all surgeons to be vigilant in their objective critical assessment of new instrumentation and report their outcomes after they come to market.

Tissue Extraction in Gynecologic Surgery: Past, Present, and Future

Fibroid tissue extraction during hysterectomy and myomectomy has become increasingly controversial. A wave of research has tried to clarify difficult questions around the prevalence of occult malignancies, the effect of morcellation on cancer outcomes, proper informed consent, and surgical options for tissue extraction. This review examines the history of these controversies and discusses tissue extraction techniques and continued areas of debate in the field.

The impact of recent power morcellator risk information on inpatient surgery and patient outcomes

Aim: We examine the impact of the new risk information about a surgical device on surgery and patient outcomes for hysterectomy in the inpatient setting. Methods: We utilize a difference-in-differences approach to assess the impact of new risk information on patient outcomes in the inpatient setting between 2009 and 2014. The inpatient data come from a nationally representative sample of hospitalizations in the USA. We use the likelihood of laparoscopic surgery, measures of resource use and surgical complications as outcome variables. Results: We estimate a three-percentage point decrease in the likelihood of receiving laparoscopic hysterectomy, a one-percentage point increase in the likelihood of experiencing a surgical complication and no impact on resource use, relative to pre-existing means. Conclusion: Our findings show that there was movement away from laparoscopic surgery in the months following the dissemination of new risk information. These changes had limited effect on patient outcomes.

A national survey: Evaluating current practice and risk assessment in morcellation amongst gynaecologists in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate current practice and adherence to AAGL and BSGE power morcellation guidelines.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

United Kingdom.

PATIENTS/POPULATION

157 National Health Service (NHS) hospital trusts (organisation comprising of one or more hospitals) offering gynaecological services.

INTERVENTION

A questionnaire was emailed between March-July 2018 and completed by Lead/ Directors of Gynaecology within each organisation. Descriptive statistics were used to present results from this study.

MEASUREMENTS/RESULTS

We assessed power morcellation practice patterns, informed consent processes and outcomes over the last 12 months. We received 136 responses (87 % response rate). Power morcellation was performed by a third (59, 37.6 %) of all UK hospitals. The median number of gynecologists performing morcellation per organisation was 2 (Q1-Q3: 2-4). A median of 7 morcellators (Q1-Q3: 0-17) were purchased and 7 morcellators (Q1-Q3: 1.25-15.75) used per annum. A median of 10 (Q1-Q3: 2.0-15.0) laparoscopic hysterectomies and 5 (Q1-Q3: 0.5-9.0) myomectomies requiring morcellation were performed per annum. Almost, a third of hospitals did not perform an endometrial biopsy or MRI. 79.7 % (47) of trusts consented for power morcellation and 76 %, (46) explained risk of inadvertent leiomyosarcoma. 83.3 %, (50) had no patient literature and almost half had no audit process 45 %, (27).

CONCLUSION

Current UK practice does not reflect recommendations from the AAGL or BSGE. Deficiencies were identified in pre-operative evaluation, local governance procedures, and consenting practices regarding use of a power morcellator and risk of occult leiomyosarcoma.

Reduced Complications Following Implementation of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Danish Population-based Cohort Study of Minimally Invasive Benign Gynecologic Surgery between 2004 and 2018

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To monitor and report nationwide changes in the rates of and complications after different methods for benign hysterectomy, operative hysteroscopy, myomectomy, and embolization in Denmark. To report the national mortality after benign hysterectomy DESIGN: National prospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING

The Danish Hysterectomy and Hysteroscopy Database.

PATIENTS

Women undergoing surgery for benign gynecologic diseases: 64 818 hysterectomies, 84 175 hysteroscopies, 4016 myomectomies, and 1209 embolizations in Denmark between 2004 and 2018.

INTERVENTIONS

National meetings with representatives from all departments, annual working reports of institutional complication rates, workshops, and national guideline initiative to improve minimally invasive surgical methods.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Rates of the different methods and complications after each method with follow-up to 5 years as recorded by the database directly in the National Patient Registry. Nationwide, a decline in the use of hysterectomy, myomectomy, embolizations, and endometrial ablation. The total short-term complications were 9.8%, 7.5%, 8.9%, and 2.7% respectively, however, with a persistent risk of approximately 20% for recurrent operations within 5 years after endometrial ablation. Initially, we urged for increased use of vaginal hysterectomy, but only reached 36%. From 2010, we urged for reducing abdominal hysterectomies by implementing laparoscopic hysterectomy and reached 72% laparoscopic and robotic procedures. Since 2015, we used coring or contained morcellation for removal of large uterus at laparoscopic hysterectomy. The major and minor complication rates (modified Clavien-Dindo classification) were reduced significantly from 8.1% to 4.1% and 9.9% to 5.7% respectively. Mortality after benign hysterectomy was 0.27‰. The odds ratio for major complications after abdominal hysterectomy was 1.66 (1.52-1.81) compared to minimally invasive hysterectomy independent of the length of stay, high-volume departments, indications, comorbidity, age, and calendar year.

CONCLUSION

Fifteen years with a national database has resulted in a marked quality improvement. Denmark has 85% minimally invasive hysterectomies and has reduced the number of major complications by 50%.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities/Differences in Hysterectomy Route in Women Likely Eligible for Minimally Invasive Surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Evaluate racial/ethnic variation in hysterectomy surgical route in women likely eligible for minimally invasive hysterectomy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Multistate including Colorado, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

PATIENTS

Women aged ≥18 years without diagnoses of leiomyomas, obesity, or previous abdominopelvic surgery who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions from the State Inpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Databases, 2010-2014.

INTERVENTIONS

None. Primary exposure is race/ethnicity.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Racial/ethnic variation in annual hysterectomy rates and surgical route. To calculate hysterectomy rates per 100 000 women/year, denominators were adjusted for the proportion of women with previous hysterectomy. A marginal structural log binomial regression model was used to estimate adjusted standardized prevalence ratios (aPRs) for vaginal or laparoscopic vs abdominal hysterectomy, controlling for clustering within hospitals. In addition, hospitals were stratified into quintiles to examine surgical route in hospitals that serve a higher vs lower proportion of African American patients. A total of 133 082 adult women underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions from 2010 to 2014. Annual laparoscopic rates increased more slowly for African Americans (1.6-fold) than for whites (1.8-fold) and Hispanics (1.9-fold). African American and Hispanic women were less likely to undergo vaginal (aPR = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-0.96 and aPR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.97, respectively) and laparoscopic hysterectomy (aPR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.94 and aPR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98, respectively) than white women; Asian/Pacific Islander women were less likely to undergo vaginal hysterectomy (aPR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.96). Hospitals serving a higher proportion of African American persons performed more abdominal and fewer vaginal procedures across all groups, and more racial/ethnic minority women sought care at those hospitals than white women.

CONCLUSION

African American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander women eligible for minimally invasive hysterectomy were more likely than white women to receive abdominal hysterectomy. The proportion of all women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy was highest at hospitals serving higher proportions of African American persons. This difference in treatment type can lead to disparities in outcomes, in part owing to their association with complications.

A more accurate method to interpret lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes' results in patients with uterine masses

OBJECTIVE

Since there are no approved reliable biomarkers for detecting preoperatively uterine sarcoma, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes are usually required. We first evaluated the role of LDH isoenzymes in detecting uterine sarcoma risk, and then we tried to introduce a model to easily interpret the biochemical results.

METHODS

We retrospectively retrieved records of patients who underwent surgical treatment for uterine masses from 2004 to 2016, and we compared data of 2211 patients with a definitive surgical diagnosis of uterine fibroids and 43 with uterine sarcomas. Quantitative relationships between serum LDH isoenzymes levels, as different single markers or in multiple assays, and the final diagnosis were investigated.

RESULTS

LDH isoenzymes levels significantly differed between patients with benign uterine masses or sarcomas. LDH3 isoenzyme exhibited better predictive performances than the other four isoforms. Combining LDH3 with LDH1 isoenzymes into an inverse algebraic relationship, named Uterine mass Magna Graecia (U.M.G.) risk index, the accuracy of markers in discriminating between benign and suspicious malignant uterine masses was significantly enhanced, sensitivity at 100% and specificity at 99.6%, with nine false positive over 2211 benignant cases and no false negative over 43 sarcomas.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective analysis suggests to consider U.M.G. risk index as an inexpensive and accurate prognostic index that, once validated in a prospective study, may help clinicians in discriminating between benignant and suspicious malignant uterine masses.

Incidence of sarcoma in patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive hysterectomy may require the use of morcellation to remove the uterus. In the presence of unexpected sarcoma, morcellation risks disseminating malignant cells and worsening survival outcomes. As a consequence, in 2014 the US Food and Drug Administration issued a black box warning against the use of power morcellator for the treatment of uterine fibroids. However, the proportion of unexpected sarcoma at the time of hysterectomy for presumed benign indication remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to estimate the incidence of sarcoma among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indication in Olmsted County, MN, between 1999 and 2013.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a population-based study including all hysterectomies performed for benign indication in Olmsted County women between Jan. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2013. Cases were identified using the medical records-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, and data were abstracted by a gynecologist who reviewed the complete medical records of each woman who underwent hysterectomy. An expert pathologist reviewed the pathologic slides of each sarcoma to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis. Incidences of sarcoma (overall and by type of sarcoma) were estimated both overall and stratified by menopausal status, indication for surgery, and uterine weight as a rate per 100 persons.

RESULTS

A total of 4232 hysterectomies were performed during the study period. Among them, we identified 16 sarcomas, of which 11 (69%) were suspected preoperatively and 5 (31%) were unexpected. Of the total number of hysterectomies, 3759 (88.8%) were performed for benign indication. Among those, the incidence of unexpected sarcoma was 0.13% (5 per 3759 [95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.31%]). Uterine fibroids comprised 27.3% of all hysterectomies for benign indication (n = 1025) and was the indication most commonly associated with diagnosis of unexpected sarcoma. The incidence of unexpected sarcoma among surgeries for uterine fibroids was 0.35% (3 of 851) for premenopausal women and 0.57% (1 of 174) for peri/postmenopausal, and all 4 unexpected sarcomas were leiomyosarcoma. The incidence of unexpected sarcoma progressively increased with higher uterine weight with an incidence of 0.03% (1 of 2993) among women with a uterine weight <250 g vs 15.4% (2 of 13) with a uterine weight ≥2000 g.

CONCLUSION

Unexpected uterine sarcoma was low in all women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indication (0.13% or 1 in 752 surgeries) while it was increased in women with uterine fibroids (0.39% or 1 in 256 surgeries). Peri/postmenopausal women, women with large uteri, and age ≥45 years were risk factors for sarcoma.

Route of hysterectomy: a retrospective, cohort study in English NHS Hospitals from 2011 to 2017

OBJECTIVE

To assess variation in the route of hysterectomy over 7 years and to assess regional variation in practice.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

English NHS Hospitals 2011-2017.

POPULATION

230 876 patients having a hysterectomy for six diagnostic categories (endometrial cancer, endometriosis and pain, menstrual disorders, fibroids, benign adnexal masses, and 'other') identified from Hospital Episode Statistics.

METHODS

The proportion of hysterectomies carried out by each route was calculated for each year overall and for each primary diagnosis by year. Comparisons between 2011 and 2017 were via chi-square test. Rank correlation coefficients were calculated to assess trends over the study period. Analysis of regional variation in practice was restricted to 2017. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to obtain crude and adjusted odds of having a minimal access hysterectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The proportion of abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic, and failed laparoscopic procedures for each primary diagnosis by study year. Odds of a minimal access hysterectomy in 2017.

RESULTS

The proportion of hysterectomies performed laparoscopically increased from 20.2% in 2011 to 47.2% in 2017, as did the proportion of failed laparoscopic procedures; 1.7% in 2011 to 2.8% in 2017. The proportion of abdominal hysterectomies decreased from 70.4% in 2011 to 46.5% in 2017. There was a smaller decrease in vaginal procedures from 7.8% in 2011 to 3.5% in 2017. Regional variation in the route of hysterectomy was demonstrated in 2017, which persisted when adjusted for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of laparoscopic procedures has increased, and it was the commonest route of hysterectomy for this cohort in 2017. There were significant regional differences in route of hysterectomy in 2017.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Increasing laparoscopic hysterectomy and decreasing abdominal hysterectomy rates from 2011 to 2017 with regional variation in practice.

Comparison of 30-day Complication Rates between Laparoscopic Myomectomy and Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for the Treatment of Uterine Leiomyoma in Women Older Than Age 40

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether there are differences in complication rates between laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for the treatment of uterine leiomyoma in perimenopausal women.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study using 1:2 propensity score matching (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

PATIENTS

Women between the ages of 40 and 60 years undergoing surgical laparoscopic surgery for uterine leiomyoma between the years 2010 and 2016.

INTERVENTIONS

Women were stratified to either LM or TLH at a ratio of 1:2 using propensity score matching. Descriptive statistics were reported as means with standard deviations. Pairwise analysis using the Student t test and chi-square test was performed where appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the presence of a complication.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

After propensity score matching, there were 631 myomectomies and 1262 hysterectomies. The operating time was slightly longer for LM compared with TLH (166.8 ± 90.3 minutes vs 157.9 ± 70.9 minutes, p = .03). The overall complication rate was 6.3%. There were no differences in complications between the LM and TLH groups (5.9% vs 6.6%, p = .54). Urinary tract infections were more common in the TLH group (2.3% vs 0.6%, p = .01). There were no other differences in the rates of specific complications between the 2 groups. On logistic regression, wound class greater than 3 was most strongly associated with a risk of complications (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 8.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-15.87). Other variables associated with an increased risk of complications were conversion to hysterectomy (aOR = 5.91; 95% CI, 1.7-9.63), total operating time (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07), and length of stay over 1 day (aOR = 3.67; 95% CI, 2.31-5.8).

CONCLUSION

LM is not associated with an increased risk of complications compared with TLH in women over the age of 40 years undergoing treatment for uterine leiomyomata.