Clinical and Patient Reported Outcomes Pre- and Post-Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Leiomyomas: A 12-Month Follow-Up Review of TRUST, a Surgical Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation (LAP-RFA) and Myomectomy

Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by the AAGL Practice Committee

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review clinical and patient-reported outcomes after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

DATA SOURCES

We searched Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on September 8, 2023, and requested additional data from industry sources. We included published, peer-reviewed studies of patient-centered outcomes of RFA when used for symptomatic fibroids. Abstracts and potentially relevant full-text articles were screened and data were extracted regarding study characteristics, arms, outcomes, and results, together with risk of bias assessment.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

We included 30 studies published in 49 articles (3 randomized controlled trials, 1 nonrandomized comparative study, and 26 single-group studies, as well as 4 publications from the TRUST Study) with variable risks of bias.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The study populations were demographically diverse and clinically heterogeneous. Across studies, RFA treatment was associated with fibroid volume reduction of 46.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52.1, 40.0; 11 studies) at 3 months and 65.4% (95% CI 74.7, 56.1; 10 studies) at 12 months. All studies reported a decrease in proportion of patients experiencing abnormal, heavy, or prolonged menstrual bleeding, with the most substantial improvement within the first 3 months. Meta-analyses of health-related quality of life scores demonstrated significant improvements in scores from baseline for Uterine Fibroid Symptoms and Quality of Life (53.4, 95% CI 48.2, 58.5; 19 studies), EuroQol-5 dimension (71.6, 95% CI 65.0, 78.1; 4 studies), and Symptom Severity Score (52.2, 95% CI 46.4, 58.1; 17 studies), with a peak at 6 months on the Uterine Fibroid Symptoms and Quality of Life scale (88.0, 95% CI 83.0, 92.9; 11 studies), a peak at 24 months on the EuroQol-5 dimension scale (88.3, 95% CI 86.0, 90.6; 2 studies), and a trough at 12 months for Symptom Severity Score (12.8, 95% CI 7.0, 18.6; 11 studies). Studies mostly demonstrated return to work and normal activities within 2 weeks. Reported unplanned hospitalizations were infrequent, and durations of hospital stay were generally short. Postprocedure complications were inconsistently reported but assessed overall to be infrequent. Long-term need for medical and surgical re-intervention varied. Post-RFA hysterectomy rates ranged from 2/205 (1.0%) to 15/62 (24.1%) with variable follow-up periods ranging from 45 days to 74 months. Most studies did not include patients who desired to maintain fertility; thus, reproductive data are insufficient for interpretation.

CONCLUSION

There is a paucity of comparative studies, and the small number of RCTs are limited by lack of blinding. Few studies had the long-term follow-up time required to draw definitive conclusions regarding the durability of symptom relief. However, despite these limitations, there is overall agreement on several important clinical measures following RFA, such as decreased fibroid volume, improved uterine bleeding, and improved quality of life. Future high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized outcomes measures are required to better characterize the use of RFA among fibroid patients.

Comparison of Costs, Re-Intervention Rates, and Length of Hospital Stay for Three Uterus Sparing Interventions for Uterine Fibroids: A 2-Year Retrospective Claims Analysis

Purpose

To describe two-year post-operative outcomes, and healthcare utilization of three uterus-sparing interventions used to treat women with intramural and/or subserosal uterine fibroids.

Subjects and Methods

This was a post-market, randomized, prospective, multi-center, longitudinal, interventional, and comparative clinical study to evaluate the costs and health outcomes of LAP-RFA vs the standard uterine conserving technologies (myomectomy and UAE) for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids in women who desire uterine conservation. For this RCT study, 54 subjects were randomized on a 1:1 ratio across the three procedures and followed out to two years. Their results were compared to retrospective US insurance claims from the IBM MarketScan® Commercial Database from 2017-2020 for 96,854 women who underwent a uterus-sparing procedure for fibroids.

Results

Mean ambulatory surgical center costs and the mean out-patient hospital costs were lowest for LAP-RFA ($13,134 and $14,428) and highest for UAE ($28,214 and $19,131). The total two-year re-intervention rate of any subsequent procedure (AM, LM, LAP-RFA, or UAE) was lowest in AM group (0%) followed by LM (4.2%), LAP-RFA (11%), and UAE (33%). Mean peri-operative reintervention costs and the mean reintervention total costs were $2429 and $5939 for LAP-RFA, $2122 and $8368 for LM, $4410 and $11,942 for AM, and $8113 and $46,692 for UAE subjects. In the RCT study, the average length of hospital stay was significantly less for the LAP-RFA group subjects (8.2 hours) in contrast to both the laparoscopic myomectomy group subjects (16.0 hours) and the abdominal myomectomy group subjects (33.6 hours). Despite the small numbers, two-year reintervention rates followed a similar pattern as the IBM MarketScan data.

Conclusion

In comparing these three non-invasive approaches, LAP-RFA was associated with the lowest peri-operative cost, and UAE was associated with the highest peri-operative cost. Further studies are needed to assess the cost, effectiveness, and subject satisfaction with each procedure.

Laparoscopic Multibipolar Radiofrequency Myolysis for Symptomatic Myomas in 10 Steps

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To describe a minimal invasive 10-step technique of laparoscopic multibipolar radiofrequency myolysis for symptomatic myomas.

DESIGN

A step-by-step video demonstration of the technique.

SETTING

A woman with symptomatic FIGO 5 myoma of 60 mm of diameter, confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient included in this video gave consent for publication of the video and posting of the video online including social media, the journal website, scientific literature websites (such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, etc.) and other applicable sites.

INTERVENTIONS

Approximately 30% of women of child-bearing age with myomas will present with symptoms [1] that include chronic pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding or infertility [2,3]. Data regarding fertility preservation and obstetric outcomes suggest that radiofrequency myoma ablation may offer an alternative to existing treatments for women who desire future fertility [4]. The local institutional review board stated that approval was not required because the video describes a technique and not a clinical case. In our center, all radiofrequency indications are discussed during a monthly multidisciplinary myomas meeting. This video presents the procedure divided into the following 10 steps: planning of the surgery; materials; installation; laparoscopic exploration; transvaginal ultrasound examination; visual and transvaginal ultrasound guided transparietal puncture of the myoma; control of the applicators' position; radiofrequency myolysis; end of myolysis, applicators removal; final check and additional procedures.

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency myolysis is a simple and reproductible procedure that can be offered as an alternative to myomectomy [5]. This video presents 10 steps to make the procedure easier to adopt and to reduce its learning curve.

Pregnancy Outcomes After Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation of Uterine Leiomyomas Compared With Myomectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation and myomectomy.

METHODS

The ULTRA (Uterine Leiomyoma Treatment With Radiofrequency Ablation) study is an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study with longitudinal follow-up up to 5 years comparing outcomes of radiofrequency ablation with myomectomy in premenopausal women older than age 21 years with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Participants were queried every 6 months after surgery to assess the incidence of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 539 women enrolled in ULTRA, a total of 37 participants (mean age at first pregnancy 35.0±4.7 years) conceived 43 times as of March 2023 (22 radiofrequency ablation, 21 myomectomy). The average length of follow-up time after all procedures was 2.5±1.0 years. The baseline miscarriage rate in the study population was 33.3%. In participants who underwent radiofrequency ablation, 9 of 22 pregnancies (40.9%, 95% CI, 20.3-61.5%) ended in first-trimester miscarriage, 11 resulted in live births (50.0%, 95% CI, 29.1-70.9%), one resulted fetal death at 30 weeks of gestation, and one resulted in uterine rupture during miscarriage treatment with misoprostol 10 weeks after radiofrequency ablation. Among the live births in the radiofrequency ablation group, 45.5% were by vaginal delivery. In the myomectomy group, 9 of 21 pregnancies (42.9%, 95% CI, 21.7-64.0%) ended in first-trimester miscarriage and 12 resulted in live births (57.1%, 95% CI, 36.0-78.3%). There were no significant differences in the likelihood of live birth or miscarriage between the study groups.

CONCLUSION

Full-term pregnancy and vaginal delivery are achievable after radiofrequency ablation of leiomyomas. However, in this interim analysis, the miscarriage rate in both radiofrequency ablation and myomectomy groups was higher than expected for women in this age group. Long-term data collection in the ongoing ULTRA study aims to further understand pregnancy outcomes after radiofrequency ablation compared with myomectomy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT0210094.

Changes in Pelvic Floor Symptoms After Procedural Interventions for Uterine Leiomyomas: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effect of procedural interventions for leiomyomas on pelvic floor symptoms.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to January 12, 2023, searching for leiomyoma procedures and pelvic floor disorders and symptoms, restricted to primary study designs in humans.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Double independent screening for studies of any study design in all languages that reported pelvic floor symptoms before and after surgical (hysterectomy, myomectomy, radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation) or radiologic (uterine artery embolization, magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasonography, high-intensity focused ultrasonography) procedures for management of uterine leiomyomas. Data were extracted, with risk-of-bias assessment and review by a second researcher. Random effects model meta-analyses were conducted, as feasible.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

Six randomized controlled trials, one nonrandomized comparative study, and 25 single-group studies met criteria. The overall quality of the studies was moderate. Only six studies, reporting various outcomes, directly compared two procedures for leiomyomas. Across studies, leiomyoma procedures were associated with decreased symptom distress per the UDI-6 (Urinary Distress Inventory, Short Form) (summary mean change -18.7, 95% CI -25.9 to -11.5; six studies) and improved quality of life per the IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Short Form) (summary mean change -10.7, 95% CI -15.8 to -5.6; six studies). There was a wide range of resolution of urinary symptoms after procedural interventions (7.6-100%), and this varied over time. Urinary symptoms improved in 19.0-87.5% of patients, and the definitions for improvement varied between studies. Bowel symptoms were inconsistently reported in the literature.

CONCLUSION

Urinary symptoms improved after procedural interventions for uterine leiomyomas, although there is high heterogeneity among studies and few data on long-term outcomes or comparing different procedures.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42021272678.

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.

Radiofrequency Ablation of Leiomyomas

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of leiomyomas represents a significant advancement in the treatment of this common uterine condition. In the appropriately selected patient, both laparoscopic and transcervical options provide effective treatment for bleeding and bulk symptoms in a uterine-sparing manner. Compared with other minimally invasive leiomyoma treatment options, RFA procedures have comparable or favorable safety profiles, recovery timelines, and reintervention rates. Data on future fertility and pregnancy are limited, although early reports are promising.

The current and future state of surgery in reproductive endocrinology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The last decade has witnessed a radical change in the field of reproductive surgery. The increasing success of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) has caused a huge shift in emphasis with many downstream consequences. This review outlines the changes and provides insight into the future of reproductive surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

With compelling evidence that IVF overcomes the detrimental effects of endometriosis on infertility and with two new oral medications available for management of endometriosis, momentum is shifting towards nonsurgical management of endometriosis. There is increasing recognition that except for submucous myomas, other myomas are unlikely to affect fertility and miscarriage. This, in addition to many emerging alternative modalities for management of myomas (oral GnRH antagonists, radiofrequency ablation), is likely to further decrease classic myomectomies but provide alternative, less invasive options. Caesarean scar defects have been recognized as having significant reproductive consequences and surgical management has become the standard of care. Fallopian tubes are now implicated in development of ovarian cancer, and as a result, salpingectomies are being performed in lieu of tubal ligations. Tubal anastomosis will soon become a historical surgery. Division of uterine septum remains controversial, and a clear answer will remain elusive. Uterine transplant is the single most significant advance in reproductive surgery in the past century.

SUMMARY

Reproductive surgery is evolving with the times. Although some surgical techniques will become historical, others will become mainstream.

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.