Addressing heterogenous outcomes in uterine fibroid research: a call to action

Patient Preferences Regarding Surgical Treatment Methods for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to rank the factors that are most and least important to patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids when considering surgical treatment options.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a best worst scaling (BWS) preference elicitation approach, participants completed an online survey to rank factors associated with fibroid surgical treatments. Survey content was based on a literature review and included the following factors: symptom relief; surgical complications; repeat treatment; recovery time; cosmetic effects; risk of spreading undiagnosed cancer; sexual outcomes; maintenance of child-bearing; continuation of menses; unpredictable menses; and location of procedure. Participants completed 11 BWS tasks. For each task, we presented participants with a subset of 5 factors from the possible 11, and participants chose the most important and least important factor. Participants' responses were analyzed using conditional logistic regression to determine the relative importance of factors. Patient priorities were further explored via age and race.

RESULTS

285 respondents with symptomatic uterine fibroids (69 physician-confirmed and 216 self-reported) who had not undergone prior surgical treatment completed the survey. Respondents were enrolled from two clinical sites (clinical site cohort) and an online consumer panel (panel cohort). Both cohorts identified symptom relief, cancer risk, repeat treatment and complications as the most important factors in selecting surgical treatment options and location of procedure, return to normal activities after surgery, and cosmetic effects like presence of a scar after the surgical treatment as the least important factors. Of note, younger women (≤ 40) placed greater importance on the ability to have children after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Information regarding the factors most and least important to patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids might inform development and regulatory evaluation of new technologies and procedures. Study results may be useful in efforts to develop a set of outcomes to include in future fibroids clinical studies.

Embolization for the treatment of large, complex fibroids in an outpatient setting: A report of 2 cases

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign pelvic tumors in premenopausal women, causing significant morbidity. Uterine fibroid embolization is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open or laparoscopic surgeries for the management of symptomatic uterine leiomyoma. For large fibroids, hospitalization after treatment is often required. However, there are limited data on patients with large, complex uterine leiomyomas treated by embolization. This report of 2 cases describes 2 females with large, complex fibroids causing pain and decreased quality of life who were evaluated and treated with embolization in the outpatient setting. Each patient underwent transradial cannulation and uterine artery embolization under local anesthesia or conscious sedation and returned home without complication. For women wishing to preserve their uterus, uterine fibroid embolization is an effective nonsurgical alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy in an outpatient setting. If standard protocols are followed, embolization by way of transradial artery catheterization is safe for the treatment of large, complex, symptomatic fibroids in the outpatient setting; however, additional studies with larger cohorts are warranted. Accessing the uterine arteries transradially reduces the risk of intra- and post-operative complications for patients, reduces their time spent in a hospital, and minimizes operating costs.

Ultrasound guided microwave ablation compared to uterine artery embolization treatment for uterine fibroids - a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of microwave ablation (MWA) compared to uterine artery embolization (UAE) as treatment for uterine fibroids.

METHOD

A randomized controlled superiority trial, including premenopausal women 30-55 years, with symptomatic uterine fibroids without any single fibroid exceeding mean diameter of eight centimeters. Patients were randomized to receive microwave ablation, performed abdominally or vaginally, or to uterine artery embolization. The primary outcome was volume difference of the three largest fibroids at 6 months post treatment evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by a blinded radiologist analyzed by Mann-Whitney U-test. Secondary outcomes included symptom severity score (SSS), health related quality of life (HR-QoL), amount of menstrual bleeding, postoperative pain, length of hospitalization, need for additional treatment, adverse events and if patients would recommend the treatment to a friend.

RESULTS

Patients were recruited from 30 January 2017 to 12 September 2019, with a total of 17 patients treated in each group from May 2017 to December 2019. Superiority of MWA could not be established. The volume reduction was 41.8% (Interquartile range, IQR, 14-63) in the MWA group compared to 62.2% (IQR 34.9-80.1) in the UAE group (p = 0.29). Effects on symptoms, HR-QoL and acceptability did not differ between groups. Days of hospitalization and sick leave were significantly fewer in the MWA group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although superiority of MWA could not be established, it is a promising technique for treating uterine fibroids. It was well tolerated and associated with lower use of health care resources. Trial registration: NCT02942537, www.clincialtrials.gov.

How to minimize bleeding in laparoscopic myomectomy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Laparoscopic myomectomy is a common surgical procedure for symptomatic myomas. However, bleeding control during surgery may pose a challenge. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review recent evidence regarding interventions to control bleeding during laparoscopic myomectomy.

RECENT FINDINGS

The use of vasopressin resulted in less blood loss compared to placebo. Barbed sutures reduced blood loss compared to conventional sutures. Intravenous infusion of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the intraoperative period of large myomectomies showed no significant difference compared to placebo. Uterine artery occlusion (UAO) and emergency uterine artery embolization were reported to be feasible and may reduce and treat bleeding before conversion to laparotomy.

SUMMARY

Several methods can control bleeding during laparoscopic myomectomy. Vasopressin and barbed sutures resulted in decreased blood loss, and TXA did not have an impact on bleeding control. The use of UAO and emergency embolization techniques can contribute to the control of bleeding; however, further studies are needed to prove the efficacy of these and other agents.