Evaluation of uterine patency following transcervical uterine fibroid ablation with the Sonata system (the OPEN clinical trial)

European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) Good Practice Recommendations on surgical techniques for removal of fibroids: part 1 abdominal (laparoscopic and open) myomectomy

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumours of the female reproductive tract and can cause a range of symptoms including abnormal uterine bleeding, pain, pressure symptoms and subfertility. Surgery may be required for some symptomatic fibroids via abdominal or transvaginal routes. The European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy Uterine Fibroids Working Group developed recommendations based on the best available evidence and expert opinion for the surgical treatment of uterine fibroids. In this first part of the recommendations, abdominal approaches to surgical treatment of fibroids including laparoscopic, robot- assisted and open myomectomy are described.

Management of Uterine Fibroids and Sarcomas: The Palermo Position Paper

BACKGROUND

Uterine fibroids are benign monoclonal tumors originating from the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium, constituting the most prevalent pathology within the female genital tract. Uterine sarcomas, although rare, still represent a diagnostic challenge and should be managed in centers with adequate expertise in gynecological oncology.

OBJECTIVES

This article is aimed to summarize and discuss cutting-edge elements about the diagnosis and management of uterine fibroids and sarcomas.

METHODS

This paper is a report of the lectures presented in an expert meeting about uterine fibroids and sarcomas held in Palermo in February 2023.

OUTCOME

Overall, the combination of novel molecular pathways may help combine biomarkers and expert ultrasound for the differential diagnosis of uterine fibroids and sarcomas. On the one hand, molecular and cellular maps of uterine fibroids and matched myometrium may enhance our understanding of tumor development compared to histologic analysis and whole tissue transcriptomics, and support the development of minimally invasive treatment strategies; on the other hand, ultrasound imaging allows in most of the cases a proper mapping the fibroids and to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions, which need appropriate management.

CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK

The choice of uterine fibroid management, including pharmacological approaches, surgical treatment, or other strategies, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), should be carefully considered, taking into account the characteristics of the patient and reproductive prognosis.

E. faecalis Sepsis and Asherman's Syndrome as Complications of Sonata System Transcervical Fibroid Ablation

The Sonata System is a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided transcervical fibroid ablation procedure for the management of symptomatic uterine fibroids. Since its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2018, this procedure has demonstrated an excellent safety profile and postprocedure satisfaction rate. We present the case of a patient treated with Sonata, who subsequently developed bacterial sepsis and Asherman's syndrome-serious complications with long-term sequelae and implications for fertility. A nulligravid woman in her 40s presented in the outpatient setting with dysmenorrhea and bulk symptoms, with imaging showing an enlarged myomatous uterus compressing the urinary bladder. She desired minimally invasive, fertility-preserving management and underwent the Sonata procedure at an outside hospital. On postoperative day 3, she was admitted to our institution with abdominal pain, fever, tachycardia, and Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia. Despite 6 days of culture-directed antibiotic therapy, the patient remained septic with worsening symptoms and imaging findings and with persistent bacteremia. On hospital day 7, the patient underwent laparoscopic myomectomy and excision of hemorrhagic, infected myometrium. She recovered appropriately after surgery and was discharged home on hospital day 11 to continue 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. Nine months after myomectomy, the patient was diagnosed as having Asherman's syndrome. She subsequently had an early pregnancy loss with retained products of conception, requiring hysteroscopic lysis of adhesions and dilation and curettage. Ultimately, careful patient selection is critical for the optimal application of the Sonata procedure. Limiting the extent of fibroid necrosis after treatment is a reasonable goal to minimize the risk of secondary bacterial infection and adhesiogenesis as procedural sequelae.

Updates on the Surgical Approach to Fibroids: The Importance of Radiofrequency Ablation

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign neoplasm of the female pelvis and have a lifetime prevalence exceeding 80% among African American women and approaching 70% among Caucasian women. Approximately 50% of women with fibroids experience symptoms which can range from heavy menstrual bleeding and bulk-related symptoms such as pelvic pressure with bladder and bowel dysfunction to reproductive dysfunction (e.g., infertility or obstetric complications) and pain. The choice of treatment is primarily guided by the type of symptoms in the individual patient and whether they prefer to retain fertility. While hysterectomy provides definitive resolution of fibroid symptoms and remains the most common treatment option, this procedure is invasive with a long recovery window. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is now emerging as a uterine preserving and minimally invasive therapy for symptomatic fibroids. Since its introduction, growing evidence for safety and efficacy of RFA has been generated with low rates of complications. This review will discuss RFA for the management of symptomatic uterine fibroids with a special focus on technical approaches, short- and long-term outcomes including fertility outcomes.

Application Effect of Laparoscopic Myomectomy and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Nursing on Patients with Uterine Fibroids

Background. Uterine fibroids are most common in women aged 30-50 and are the most common benign gynecological tumors. Relevant data suggest that about 25% of patients with uterine fibroids are at childbearing age. Uterine fibroids not only cause the discomfort symptoms, and affect the pregnancy, but also have certain malignant transformation risk, thus needed to be treated positively and promptly. Aim. This study is aimed at exploring the effect of laparoscopic myomectomy and comprehensive rehabilitation nursing on patients with uterine fibroids. Methods. The clinical data of 110 cases of uterine fibroids admitted to our hospital from August 2019 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively, and they were divided into two groups according to postoperative rehabilitation strategies. Both groups were treated with laparoscopic myomectomy. The A group was treated with routine rehabilitation strategy, while the B group was treated with comprehensive rehabilitation nursing strategy. The differences in operation-related indicators, stress factors, inflammatory factors, nutritional indicators, knowledge mastery, occurrence of adverse symptoms and pain scores, negative emotion scores, nursing satisfaction, and simplified comfort status scale (GCQ) scores between the two groups under nursing strategies were compared. Results. The postoperative exhaust time ( $13.14\pm 2.03$ ) h, bed time ( $9.86\pm 1.94$ ) h, postoperative hospital stay ( $4.37\pm 1.31$ ) d, and total hospital stay ( $6.78\pm 1.69$ ) d in the B group were shorter than those in the A group, and the hospitalization expenses ( $0.74\pm 0.25$ ) million were less than those in the A group ( $P<0.05$ ). Before operation, stress factors, inflammatory factors, and nutritional indexes were compared between the two groups ( $P>0.05$ ). On the 3rd day after operation, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cortisol (Cor), norepinephrine (NE), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the two groups showed a significantly upward trend compared with those before operation, and albumin and transferrin were significantly fell compared with those before operation. However, the values of stress factor and inflammatory factor in the B group were significantly lower than those in the A group, and the values after the decrease of nutritional index were significantly higher than those in the A group ( $P<0.05$ ). The pain scores at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after operation in the B group were significantly lower than those in the A group ( $P<0.05$ ). Negative emotions, nursing satisfaction, and GCQ scores were compared between the two groups before intervention ( $P>0.05$ ). After the intervention, the scores of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) in the two groups were significantly lower than those before the intervention, and the scores of nursing satisfaction and GCQ were higher than those before the intervention. The values of negative emotions in the B group after the decline were significantly lower than those in the A group, while the values of nursing satisfaction and GCQ after the increase were higher than those in the A group ( $P<0.05$ ). The excellent and good rate of knowledge acquisition in the B group was 94.55% (52/55), which was significantly higher than 78.18% (43/55) in the A group ( $P<0.05$ ). The incidence of adverse symptoms in the B group was 9.09% (5/55), which was lower than 21.82% (12/55) in the A group, while the difference was not statistically significant ( $P>0.05$ ). Conclusion. Laparoscopic myomectomy combined with comprehensive rehabilitation nursing can reduce the postoperative stress state of patients with uterine fibroids, improve patient satisfaction, reduce adverse emotions, and promote rehabilitation.

Radiofrequency ablation methods for uterine sparing fibroid treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article provides a clinical review of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of uterine leiomyomas.

RECENT FINDINGS

RFA is an effective and durable treatment for fibroids with sustained improvements in fibroid volume, bleeding, and patient reported outcomes with low reintervention rates. Although fertility data is limited, it is overall positive and may represent a uterine conserving and fertility preserving treatment modality.

SUMMARY

RFA is a safe and effective uterine preserving treatment option for symptomatic leiomyomas.

The significance of transcervical ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of symptomatic fibroids: results of an expert consensus from German-speaking countries

Uterine fibroids are one of the most common diseases in female patients, lead mainly to bleeding disorders and lower abdominal pain, and reduce the chance of having children. In recent years we have seen a trend towards more and more pharmacotherapies and minimally invasive organ-preserving treatments. One novel and innovative procedure for an organ-preserving treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids is the transcervical ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (TRFA). TRFA has been used in Germany since 2013 and later found use in other German-speaking countries as well. There have now been more than 1200 TRFA treatments performed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Experts from these three countries came together for a consensus meeting to analyze the significance of the procedure in the overall concept of the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy Outcomes: An Updated Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

To provide a systematic review of pregnancy outcomes after radiofrequency ablation of uterine fibroids.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE, from database inception until October 2021.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers conducted independent literature searches. Studies that met criteria based on title and abstract underwent full text review. Publications were included if they reported pregnancies and obstetric outcomes after laparoscopic or transcervical radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of fibroids.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

405 publications were initially identified and screened, 39 underwent full text review, and 10 publications were ultimately included. There were 50 pregnancies reported among 923 RFA patients: 40 pregnancies after 559 laparoscopic RFAs and 10 pregnancies after 364 transcervical RFAs. The number of patients from these studies actively trying to conceive after RFA is unknown. Among the RFA patients who conceived, the average age at ablation was 37 years old (range 27 to 46 years). The majority of patients had between 1 and 3 fibroids ablated, and fibroid size ranged from less than 2 centimeters to 12.5 centimeters. There were 6 spontaneous abortions (12%) and 44 full-term pregnancies (88%), of which 24 were vaginal deliveries and 20 were cesarean deliveries. There were only 2 complications among 44 deliveries: 1 placenta previa that underwent an uncomplicated cesarean delivery and 1 delayed postpartum hemorrhage with expulsion of a degenerated myoma, with no long-term sequelae. There were no cases of uterine rupture, uterine window, or invasive placentation, and no fetal complications. The spontaneous abortion rate was comparable to the general obstetric population.

CONCLUSION

Almost all pregnancies after radiofrequency ablation of fibroids were full-term deliveries with no maternal or neonatal complications. These findings add to the literature that radiofrequency fibroid ablation may offer a safe and effective alternative to existing treatments for women who desire future fertility.

Pregnancy Outcomes After Transcervical Radiofrequency Ablation of Uterine Fibroids with the Sonata System

Objective:

To describe pregnancy outcomes in women who conceived after undergoing transcervical fibroid ablation (TFA) as treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Materials and Methods:

TFA was used to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids with radiofrequency energy, both under clinical trial protocol and commercial usage in hospitals in Europe, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and the United States. All women who reported pregnancies to their physicians after undergoing TFA with the Sonata^® System and provided consent for use of their data were included.

Results:

There have been 36 pregnancies representing 20 deliveries among 28 women who were treated with TFA. Five women conceived more than once postablation, and four conceived as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Outcomes include 8 vaginal deliveries, 12 Cesarean sections, 3 therapeutic abortions, and 8 first trimester spontaneous abortions (four occurring in a patient with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and an immunologic disorder). Five women are currently pregnant, two of whom previously delivered after TFA. There were no 5-minute Apgar scores <7, and all neonates weighed >2500 g. All deliveries occurred at ≥37 weeks except for one delivery at 35 6/7 weeks. There were no uterine ruptures or abnormal placentation and no reports of postpartum hemorrhage or stillbirths. Ablated fibroids included transmural, submucous, and intramural myomata up to 7 cm in diameter.

Conclusions:

Normal pregnancy outcomes at term have occurred after TFA with the Sonata System, including in women with recurrent abortion and in those undergoing ART. There were no instances of low Apgar scores, low birthweight, stillbirth, postpartum hemorrhage, or uterine rupture (FAST-EU, NCT01226290; SONATA, NCT02228174; SAGE, NCT03 118037). (J GYNECOL SURG 38:207)

Transcervical microwave ablation in type 2 uterine fibroids via a hysteroscopic approach: analysis of ablation profiles

Type 2 uterine fibroids are challenging to resect surgically as ≥ 50% volume of myoma lies within the myometrium. A hysteroscopic approach for ablating fibroids is minimally-invasive, but places a considerable burden on the operator to accurately place the ablation applicator within the target. We investigated the sensitivity of transcervical microwave ablation outcome with respect to position of the ablation applicator within 1 - 3 cm type 2 fibroids.Methods:A finite element computer model was developed to simulate 5.8 GHz microwave ablation of fibroids and validated with experiments inex vivotissue. The ablation outcome was evaluated with respect to applicator insertion angles (30°, 45°, 60°) , depth and offset from the fibroid center (±2 mm for 3 cm fibroid and ±1 mm for 1 cm fibroid) with 35 W and 15 W applied power for 3 cm and 1 cm fibroids, respectively. Power deposition was stopped when thermal dose of 40 cumulative equivalent minutes at 43 °C (CEM43) was accrued in adjacent myometrium.Results:Within the range of all evaluated insertion angles, depths and offsets, the ablation coverage was less sensitive to variation in angle as compared to depth and offset, and ranged from 34.9 - 83.6% for 3 cm fibroid in 140 - 400 s and 34.1 - 67.9% for 1 cm fibroid in 30 - 50 s of heating duration. Maximum achievable ablation coverage in both fibroid cases reach ∼ 90% if thermal dose is allowed to exceed 40 CEM43 in myometrium.Conclusion:The study demonstrates the technical feasibility of transcervical microwave ablation for fibroid treatment and the relationship between applicator position within the fibroid and fraction of fibroid that can be ablated while limiting thermal dose in adjacent myometrium.

A Systematic Review of the Treatment of Uterine Myomas Using Transcervical Ultrasound-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation with the Sonata System

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the treatment success, possible side effects, and safety of radiofrequency ablation with the Sonata System.

DATA SOURCES

An electronic literature search in the PubMed and Medline databases was carried out from inception to August 2020.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

The review was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Keywords such as "Sonata," "transcervical ablation," and "uterine myoma" were used to identify all relevant articles independently by both authors. Full-text articles in English that reported at least 1 of the following outcomes were included in the study: reduction in perfused/total myoma volume, effect of treatment on bleeding intensity and myoma-related symptoms, number of surgical reinterventions, adverse events, return to activities of daily life, effects on surrounding tissue, and safety during pregnancy.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

10 studies matching the inclusion criteria were identified and used for further analysis. A reduction in total and perfused myoma volume of 63.2% and 64.5% was achieved. One of the studies showed a 53.8 ± 50.5% (n = 48) reduction in Menstrual Pictogram Score, and another study showed a 51.1 ± 40.9% (n = 142) reduction in Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart at 12 months. 87.2% (n = 190) of the patients reported a clinically meaningful reduction in menstrual blood loss after 12 months. While Symptom Severity Scores dropped by 28.8 ± 19.3, 23.3 ± 23.7, and 23.7 ± 19.4 points at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, Health-Related Quality of Life Scores increased to 77.5 ± 22.0, 82.8 ± 19.0, and 83.3 ± 20.5 points. One study had an 8% reintervention rate after 12 months, and another study showed a 0.7% and 5.2% rate after 12 and 24 months. After an average of 64 months after ablation, the reintervention rate was 11.8%. Time to return to activities of daily life was 2.9 ± 2.5 days. No related complications during pregnancy and delivery were reported.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency ablation with the Sonata System represents a minimally invasive, organ-preserving treatment option in patients with symptomatic uterine myomas, associated with clinically meaningful improvement of myoma-related symptoms.

Transcervical fibroid ablation with the Sonata™ system for treatment of submucous and large uterine fibroids

Objective

To examine the role and benefits of transcervical fibroid ablation (TFA) in the treatment of submucous and large uterine fibroids.

Methods

A subgroup of patients with submucous or large fibroids were analyzed from two prospective clinical trials (FAST‐EU and SONATA) of sonography‐guided TFA with the Sonata^® system. Key outcomes were changes in menstrual blood loss, symptom severity and health‐related quality of life on the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire, health‐related quality of life on the EQ‐5D questionnaire, and surgical reinterventions for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Results

Among 197 women (534 treated fibroids), 86% of women with only submucous fibroids and 81% of women with large fibroids (>5 cm) experienced bleeding reduction within 3 months post‐ablation. Overall symptom severity and health‐related quality of life showed sustained, significant improvements over 12 months. Additional fibroid mapping of large fibroids with magnetic resonance imaging in the FAST‐EU trial showed an average volume reduction of 68%. Among women with only submucous fibroids, the rate of surgical reintervention through 1 year of follow up was 3.7% in FAST‐EU and 0.0% in SONATA.

Conclusion

With the Sonata system, TFA is an effective single‐stage treatment option for non‐pedunculated submucous myomata, and larger or deeper uterine fibroids (including fibroid clusters) for which hysteroscopic treatment is not suitable.

ClinicalTrials.gov: FAST‐EU, NCT01226290; SONATA, NCT02228174.

Transcervical fibroid ablation with the Sonata™ system is an effective single‐stage treatment option for non‐pedunculated submucous and large myomata.

Non-extirpative Treatments for Uterine Myomas: Measuring Success

OBJECTIVE

To analyze outcomes of nonextirpative treatments for uterine myomas compared with myomectomy.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search of the following databases from inception to January 2020 was performed: Ovid Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Two authors reviewed titles and abstracts for relevance, and full articles were obtained and evaluated for inclusion. Studies were included if they compared nonextirpative interventions for uterine myomas to myomectomy and reported at least one outcome of interest.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Of the 2010 articles identified and reviewed, 125 full text articles were reviewed, and 22 were ultimately included in the analysis. Nonextirpative treatments reviewed included uterine artery embolization (UAE; 16 studies, n = 9555 subjects), focused ultrasound (FUS; 4 studies, n = 1516), laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA; 3 studies, n = 49). UAE, FUS, and laparoscopic RFA groups were compared with patients undergoing myomectomy (n = 34 872, n = 20 677, n = 47 respectively). In comparison with myomectomy, UAE had similar quality of life scores, symptom severity scores, sexual function scores, ovarian function, and miscarriage rates following intervention. There was lower likelihood of conceiving after UAE and a higher rate of reintervention after UAE compared with myomectomy. FUS had similar postprocedure sexual function scores and reintervention rates compared with myomectomy. Laparoscopic RFA had similar quality of life scores, symptom severity scores, sexual function scores, reintervention rates, and pregnancy rates after the procedure compared with myomectomy.

CONCLUSION

Nonextirpative treatments for uterine myomas have similar outcomes to myomectomy in multiple domains, with most available evidence comparing UAE with myomectomy.