Technical update on tissue morcellation during gynaecologic surgery: its uses, complications, and risks of unsuspected malignancy

Sarcoma of the Uterus. Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S2k-Level, AWMF Registry No. 015/074, April 2021)

Purpose This is an official guideline, published and coordinated by the Germany Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, DGGG). Because of their rarity and heterogeneous histopathology, uterine sarcomas are challenging in terms of their clinical management and therefore require a multidisciplinary approach. To our knowledge, there are currently no binding evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate management of this heterogeneous group of tumors. Methods This S2k guideline was first published in 2015. The update published here is once again the result of the consensus of a representative interdisciplinary committee of experts who were commissioned by the Guidelines Committee of the DGGG to carry out a systematic search of the literature on uterine sarcomas. Members of the participating professional societies achieved a formal consensus after a structured consensus process. Recommendations 1.1 Epidemiology, classification, staging of uterine sarcomas. 1.2 Symptoms, general diagnostic workup, general pathology or genetic predisposition to uterine sarcomas. 2. Management of leiomyosarcomas. 3. Management of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas. 4. Management of high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma and undifferentiated uterine sarcomas. 5. Management of adenosarcomas. 6. Rhabdomyosarcomas of the uterus in children and adolescents. 7. Follow-up of uterine sarcomas. 8. Management of morcellated uterine sarcomas. 9. Information provided to patients.

Operative Complications and Outcomes Comparing Small and Large Uterine Weight in Case of Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for a Benign Indication

Study Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the association between uterine weight and operative outcomes in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for a benign indication.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial with data collected prospectively and retrospectively. The data of 159 women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for a benign indication were analyzed. Women were divided in two groups according to the postoperative uterine weight: small uterus group (<250 grams) and large uterus group (≥250 grams). Operative complications were compared between the two groups. Operative outcomes (need for uterine morcellation, operative duration, estimated blood loss), postoperative pain, and hospital length of stay were also analyzed.

Main Results: Operative complications were not significantly different between the two groups (37% in the large uterus group versus 41% in the small uterus group). Operative outcomes showed a significantly increased use of uterine morcellation in the large uterus group (61% in the large uterus group versus 10% in the small uterus group). The operative duration was 150 min in the small uterus group and 176 min in the large uterus group, which corresponds to an increase of 17% in the large uterus group. The mean pain score on the day of surgery was identical in both groups (VAS pain score 5), but significantly in favor of the large uterus group on day 1 postoperatively (VAS pain score 4 in the small uterus group and 3 in the large uterus group). There was no statistical difference between groups in the mean hospital stay (62 ± 37 hours in the small uterus group versus 54 ± 21 hours in the large uterus group). In terms of surgical indication, the small uterus group comprised more patients with endometriosis/adenomyosis (36%) and the large uterus group more patients with leiomyoma (93%).

Conclusion: The results from this study show that, even if a large uterine weight is associated with increased uterine morcellation requirement and operative duration, a laparoscopic approach is safe and does not increase operative complications nor pain and/or length of hospital stay in women undergoing hysterectomy for a benign indication.

National trends and determinants of hospitalization for uterine leiomyomas - Portuguese public database analysis from 2000 to 2015

OBJECTIVE

To determine the trends of hospitalization (inpatients and outpatients) for uterine leiomyomas in Portugal, over a period of fifteen years.

STUDY DESIGN

We perform a population- and register-based retrospective study of women who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of uterine fibroid in public hospitals in continental Portugal, in the period between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2015. Patient data regarding hospital codes, admission and discharge dates, patient age, diagnosis, procedures and complications were extracted from the national database of Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde (ACSS). All calculations were performed with the STATA software, version 13.1. Categorical data were analysed by the χ2 test and the means of continuous variables were analysed with Student's t-test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2015, 102 476 patients were admitted to public hospitals in Portugal due to uterine leiomyomas. The majority were admitted to hospital for surgery: 73.6 % for hysterectomy and 13.0 % for myomectomy. During this period, the definitive treatment (hysterectomy) decreased from 83.2% to 63.0% (p < 0.001), with a change towards more conservative treatments such as myomectomies (6.4% to 22.6%, p < 0.001). Additionally, in women submitted to hysterectomy, laparoscopic and vaginal routes increased (1.1%-11.5%, p < 0.001 and 2.1%-4.0%, p < 0.001; respectively). Globally, there was a 14.3 % reduction in hospitalizations due to uterine fibroids and an increase in the outpatient rate (from 3.1% to 22.1%). The mean number of hospitalization days for inpatients also decreased (from 6.3 ± 4.1-4.0 ± 3.0, p < 0.001). Regarding urgently hospitalized women, 11.8 % required a blood transfusion. In women submitted to surgical procedures, 0.5 % had an intraoperative complication and 2.3 % a post-operative complication, directly related to the surgical procedure.

CONCLUSION

There was a reduction in hospitalizations due to uterine fibroids and a change towards more conservative treatments.

No 371 - Le morcellement durant la chirurgie gynécologique: Son utilisation, ses complications et les risques liés à la présence de tumeurs malignes insoupçonnées

OBJECTIF

La présente directive clinique conseille les gynécologues quant au recours au morcellement tissulaire pendant une chirurgie gynécologique. RéSULTATS: Le morcellement effectué au cours d'une chirurgie gynécologique peut permettre l'ablation de masses utérines volumineuses, offrant ainsi aux femmes une solution chirurgicale à effraction minimale. Les conséquences oncologiques indésirables du morcellement tissulaire devraient être atténuées par l'amélioration de la sélection des patientes, la tenue d'examens préopératoires et l'adoption de techniques novatrices réduisant au minimum la dispersion tissulaire. ÉVIDENCE: La littérature publiée a été récupérée au moyen de recherches menées dans PubMed et Medline au printemps 2014 à l'aide d'une terminologie contrôlée (« leiomyosarcoma », « uterine neoplasm », « uterine myomectomy », « hysterectomy ») et de mots-clés (« leiomyoma », « endometrial cancer », « uterine sarcoma », « leiomyosarcoma », « morcellation »). Les résultats retenus provenaient de revues systématiques, d'essais cliniques randomisés, d'essais cliniques contrôlés et d'études observationnelles de langue anglaise ou française. Aucune restriction de date n'a été imposée. Les recherches ont été refaites régulièrement, et les résultats ont été incorporés à la directive clinique jusqu'en juillet 2017. Nous avons également tenu compte de la littérature grise (non publiée) trouvée sur les sites Web d'organismes d'évaluation des technologies de la santé et d'autres organismes liés aux technologies de la santé, dans des collections de directives cliniques et dans des registres d'essais cliniques, et obtenue auprès d'associations nationales et internationales de médecins spécialistes.

VALEURS

La qualité des données probantes a été évaluée en fonction des critères décrits dans le rapport du Groupe d'étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs. AVANTAGES, INCONVéNIENTS ET COûTS: Les gynécologues offrent aux femmes une chirurgie à effraction minimale pouvant comprendre le recours à un morcellateur électromécanique pour faciliter le retrait des tissus. Les femmes devraient être informées que l'utilisation d'un morcellateur en présence de tumeurs utérines (sarcomes, tumeurs endométriales), cervicales ou tubo-ovariennes jusque-là insoupçonnées est associée à un risque accru de dissémination. Le morcellement tissulaire devrait être précédé d'une évaluation complète, d'une sélection appropriée des patientes et de l'obtention du consentement éclairé de ces dernières, et devrait être effectué par des chirurgiens ayant une formation adéquate en matière de pratiques de morcellement tissulaire sûres. DéCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES: RECOMMANDATIONS.

No. 371-Morcellation During Gynaecologic Surgery: Its Uses, Complications, and Risks of Unsuspected Malignancy

OBJECTIVE

This guideline provides guidance to gynaecologists regarding the use of tissue morcellation in gynaecologic surgery.

OUTCOMES

Morcellation may be used in gynaecologic surgery to allow removal of large uterine specimens, thus providing women with a minimally invasive surgical option. Adverse oncologic outcomes of tissue morcellation should be mitigated through improved patient selection, preoperative investigations, and novel techniques that minimize tissue dispersion.

EVIDENCE

Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed and Medline in the spring of 2014 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (leiomyosarcoma, uterine neoplasm, uterine myomectomy, hysterectomy) and key words (leiomyoma, endometrial cancer, uterine sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and morcellation). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. There were no date limits, but results were limited to English or French language materials. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to July 2017. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies.

VALUES

The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.

BENEFITS, HARMS, AND COSTS

Gynaecologists offer women minimally invasive surgery, and this may involve tissue morcellation and the use of a power morcellator for specimen retrieval. Women should be counselled that in the case of unexpected uterine (sarcoma, endometrial), cervical, and/or tubo-ovarian cancer, the use of a morcellator is associated with increased risk of tumour dissemination. Tissue morcellation should be performed only after complete investigation, appropriate patient selection, and informed consent and by surgeons with appropriate training in the safe practices of tissue morcellation.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Rethinking the Issue of Power Morcellation of Uterine Fibroids: Is Morcellation the Real Problem or Is this Another Symptom of Disparity in Healthcare Provision?

Power morcellation remains one of the most significant developments in minimal access surgery over the past decade, allowing many more patients to benefit from the least invasive surgical route. However, its use is not without controversy, particularly with regards to the risks of an undiagnosed leiomyosarcoma. Increased media and, in particular, on-going social media coverage since events in 2014 have only served to intensify the debate, culminating in the Food and Drug Administration essentially 'banning' its use in the USA. Practice however continues to vary and this technique remains widely used in Europe and in particular the UK. The aim of this article was to review the development of power morcellation in gynaecology and the underlying risks, including that of undiagnosed leiomyosarcoma, as well as appraise the evolving literature on patient awareness and informed consent and the wider implications of morcellation restriction.

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.

Sarcoma of the Uterus. Guideline of the DGGG and OEGGG (S2k Level, AWMF Register Number 015/074, February 2019)

Aims This is an official guideline published and coordinated by the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) and the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG). Because of their rarity and heterogeneous histopathology, uterine sarcomas are challenging in terms of how they should be managed clinically, and treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. To our knowledge, there are currently no binding evidence-based recommendations for the appropriate management of this heterogeneous group of tumors. Methods This S2k guideline was first published in 2015. The update published here is the result of the consensus of a representative interdisciplinary group of experts who carried out a systematic search of the literature on uterine sarcomas in the context of the guidelines program of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG. Members of the participating professional societies achieved a formal consensus after a moderated structured consensus process. Recommendations The consensus-based recommendations and statements include the epidemiology, classification, staging, symptoms, general diagnostic work-up and general pathology of uterine sarcomas as well as the genetic predisposition to develop uterine sarcomas. Also included are statements on the management of leiomyosarcomas, (low and high-grade) endometrial stromal sarcomas and undifferentiated uterine sarcomas and adenosarcomas. Finally, the guideline considers the follow-up and morcellation of uterine sarcomas and the information provided to patients.

Cell Spillage after Contained Electromechanical Morcellation Using a Specially Designed In-Bag System for Laparoscopic Myomectomy: Prospective Cohort Pilot Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Few reports have investigated the use of endoscopic retrieval bags in the context of laparoscopic myomectomy with electromechanical morcellation. We performed a leak test of a specially designed endoscopic bag system in women undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy with contained electromechanical morcellation.

DESIGN CLASSIFICATION

Prospective study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Thirty-one women undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy with contained electromechanical morcellation.

INTERVENTIONS

Electromechanical morcellation was introduced for large specimen extraction during laparoscopic procedures. Complications such as retained/disseminated parasitic tissue were documented.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Systematic peritoneal washings were performed at 3 specific times: at baseline, T1, once the peritoneal cavity was accessed laparoscopically; T2, when the myometrial incision was closed after myomectomy; and T3, after contained electromechanical morcellation. After retrieval of the endoscopic bag from the abdominal cavity, visual inspection and water test on the bag with NaCl infiltration were performed to detect leaks attributed to intraoperative perforations. A pathologist performed cytologic analyses on the 3 washings. The mean endoscopic bag procedure duration was 9 minutes. The use of a specially designed endoscopic bag system was found to be easy in 45% of cases, and no complications were reported. Cytologic washings were positive for smooth muscle cell detection in 8 cases (25.8%) at T2 and 3 cases (9.7%) at T3. All positive cases at T3 already had detectable smooth muscle cells at T2. After retrieval from the abdominal cavity, perforations on the optic access of the endoscopic bag were observed in 3 cases.

CONCLUSION

The results from this pilot study are encouraging. The use of a specially designed endoscopic bag system could be an adjuvant to reduce the risk of disseminating cells during myomectomy.

Occult Malignancy Rate of 1498 Hysterectomies or Myomectomies with Morcellation: A Retrospective Single-Arm Study

Background and Purpose

Since April 2014, the FDA warns against the use of morcellation during minimally invasive uterine surgery because of the risk of occult malignant spreading in the abdominal cavity. It is clear, however, that more studies are needed to define the incidence of occult uterine cancers, its risk factors, preoperative identification and postoperative follow-up. The present retrospective single-arm study defines the prevalence of occult uterine malignancies in a large group of patients treated with hysterectomy or myomectomy for benign indications.

Methods

In the year of 2014, 1498 women admitted for a myomectomy or hysterectomy in benign conditions at the clinic of minimally invasive surgery (Minimal Invasive Chirurgie or MIC) in Berlin (Germany) were included in this study. The morcellated uterine specimens of operated patients were histologically analyzed for the presence of cancerous tissue.

Results

We detected malignancies in three of the 1498 women (0.2%): two patients had endometrial cancer, while we observed cervical cancer in situ in the third patient. No sarcoma was found.

Conclusion

We detected a very low prevalence of occult uterine malignancy which is in line with several other recent studies. To define a clear policy on the use of morcellation, more studies are required. In the meantime, patients should be informed about the risks of morcellation in case of undetected cancer prior to surgery.

Occult Leiomyosarcomas in a Canadian Province: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

The risk of unexpected uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) following surgery for presumed benign leiomyoma is quoted to be between 1 in 498 and 1 in 5000. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of uterine LMS in a specific patient population and the rate of diagnosis of occult uterine LMS and to evaluate the risk of unintended morcellation of LMS in Saskatchewan.

METHODS

This study was a Canadian Task Force Classification II-2 multicentre retrospective cohort study in academic-affiliated tertiary care centres. All women with the histopathologic diagnosis of uterine LMS in Saskatchewan between January 2000 and December 2014 were included. Women with metastatic LMS at diagnosis or other types of uterine sarcomas were excluded. Data including patients' characteristics, clinical presentation, physical examination findings, imaging, pathology reports, surgical interventions, and survival outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 28 patients had a confirmed histopathologic diagnosis of LMS over the 15-year study period. Approximately 26 212 hysterectomies were performed in Saskatchewan over the same time frame. The prevalence of uterine LMS in this patient population over the study time frame is estimated to be one in 853. Mean age at diagnosis was 53.8 ± 10.0. Medical records of 25 patients could be retrieved, and 15 cases (60%) had an occult diagnosis. There were five cases of unintended morcellation (one power, four mechanical). Survival outcomes were comparable in women with unintended morcellation of occult disease and in those without morcellation.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to the existing body of literature on morcellation of occult LMS, and it ascertains the rate of LMS in a patient population. The results of this study provide valuable information to health care professionals, policy makers, and women in Saskatchewan so that they may make more informed decisions concerning uterine masses.

Outcome and Management of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Treated Following Surgery for Presumed Benign Disease: Review of Literature

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare and aggressive cancer, usually diagnosed incidentally at the time of myomectomy or hysterectomy. There have been concerns for several years about the fact that the inadvertent disruption of occult uLMS may have a negative impact on patient outcome. This study reviews the outcome and management of patients with a diagnosis of uLMS after surgery for presumed benign disease. We conducted a literature search in which 47 published English-language articles were obtained for evaluation. A total of 23 studies with outcomes data were included. It is evidenced that patients who underwent surgery with tumor disruption resulted in poorer outcomes compared with en bloc tumor, especially by power morcellation. The power morcellation was associated with an increased risk of recurrence, shorten time to recurrence, and upstage after re-exploration. Early re-exploration and surgical staging are appreciated for better prognosis and may alter postoperative treatment. We also updated on the incidence and preoperative evaluation to assess the risk of patient and give an effective counseling.

Undiagnosed Uterine Sarcomas Identified During Surgery for Presumed Leiomyoma at a National Tertiary Hospital in Thailand: A 10-Year Review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate, clinical characteristics, and survival outcomes of an undiagnosed uterine malignancy in patients who underwent surgical treatment for presumed leiomyomas.

METHODS

Medical records of patients who underwent surgical treatment for presumed leiomyomas, from January 2004 to September 2013, were retrospectively reviewed, and the data were followed until September 2016. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, oncologic treatment, and response rate were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. This study includes follow-up data through December 31, 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 11,258 medical records of presumed leiomyoma patients undergoing hysterectomy during the studied period were reviewed. Pathology of uterine sarcoma was found in 22 patients (0.2%), all of whom were included. Nineteen patients had leiomyosarcoma, and 3 had endometrial stromal sarcoma. Mean age of patients was 48.3 ± 6.9 years. All patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, with 20 patients undergoing concurrent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Uterine sarcoma was classified as stage IB in 21 patients and stage IIIC in 1 patient. Fifteen patients were prescribed the following adjuvant treatment: chemotherapy in 13 patients and megestrol acetate in 2 patients. Thirteen patients had recurrent disease, and 3 patients died of their disease. The mean progression-free survival was 50.1 ± 41.3 months, and overall survival was 59.3 ± 43.0 months.

CONCLUSIONS

One in 512 patients who underwent hysterectomy because of presumed uterine leiomyomas had inadvertent uterine sarcomas. Even with adjuvant therapy, treatment outcome was rather poor, with almost 60% recurrence rate and median progression-free survival and overall survival of less than 5 years.

Reducing the spread of occult uterine sarcoma at the time of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery

PURPOSE

This review covers the most recent evidence to discuss the incidence of occult uterine sarcoma, whether morcellation increases tumor dissemination or mortality, and whether there is a difference between different types of morcellation. We will also discuss techniques to reduce the spread of an undiagnosed uterine sarcoma.

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search was made in Pubmed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar for articles related to the incidence of occult uterine sarcoma after morcellation.

RESULTS

Fibroids are benign uterine tumors and are a common indication for gynecologic surgery. Increasingly, gynecologists are approaching these surgeries with minimally invasive techniques. Uterine sarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors that are difficult to distinguish preoperatively from uterine fibroids.

CONCLUSION

During a minimally invasive surgery, there is a risk of disseminating an occult sarcoma during tissue extraction. Minimally invasive gynecologists are tasked with balancing taking a minimally invasive approach, which is shown to result in better patient outcomes, with minimizing the risk of spreading an occult sarcoma.

Successful maternal and perinatal outcomes in a term pregnancy with giant abdominopelvic leiomyomatosis

A 30-year-old second gravida with history of laparoscopic myomectomy and one previous caesarean section was admitted at 31 weeks and 2 days period of gestation (POG) with a diagnosis of diffuse abdominopelvic leiomyomatosis and moderate anaemia. After correction of anaemia with intravenous iron and erythropoietin, laparotomy was performed at 37 weeks POG. A healthy female baby weighing 2.9 kg was delivered by classical caesarean section followed by hysterectomy in view of multiple fibroid uterus with uncontrolled bleeding. Debulking surgery was performed, and multiple large intraperitoneal leiomyomata with encasing blood vessels were removed. There was another 15×15 cm leiomyoma arising from the diaphragm which was excised. She received 4 units of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma intraoperatively. The postoperative course was uneventful, both mother and baby were healthy and discharged 7 days after surgery.

Strong Association Between Endometriosis and Symptomatic Leiomyomas

Background and Objectives:

The relationship between leiomyoma and endometriosis is poorly understood. Both contribute to considerable pain and may cause subfertility or infertility in women. We conducted this retrospective study to assess the rate of coexistence of endometriosis in women with symptomatic leiomyoma. The primary outcome measured was the coexistence of histology-proven endometriosis in women with symptomatic leiomyoma.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of a data-based collection of medical records of 244 patients treated at a tertiary medical center, who were evaluated for symptomatic leiomyoma from March 2011 through December 2015. Of those, 208 patients underwent laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy or hysterectomy. All patients provided consent for possible concomitant diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. The remaining 36 patients underwent medical therapy and were excluded from the study. All patients who had myomectomy or supracervical hysterectomy underwent minilaparotomy for extracorporeal morcellation and specimen removal beginning in April 2012.

Results:

Of the 208 patients with the presenting chief concern of symptomatic leiomyoma and who underwent surgical therapy, 181 had concomitant diagnoses of leiomyoma and endometriosis, whereas 27 had leiomyoma. Of the 27 patients, 9 also had adenomyosis. Patients with only fibroid tumors were, on average, 4.0 years older than those with endometriosis and fibroids (mean age, 44 vs 40 ± SD). Patients with both pathologies were also more likely to present with pelvic pain and nulliparity than those with fibroid tumors alone.

Conclusions:

In our patient population, 87.1% of patients with a chief concern of symptomatic fibroids also had a diagnosis of histology-proven endometriosis, which affirms the need for concomitant diagnosis and intraoperative treatment of both conditions. Overlooking the coexistence of endometriosis in women with symptomatic leiomyoma may lead to suboptimal treatment of fertility and persistent pelvic pain. It is important for physicians to be aware of the possibility of this association and to thoroughly evaluate the abdomen and pelvis for endometriosis at the time of myomectomy or hysterectomy in an effort to avoid the need for reoperation.

Is Laparoscopic Power Morcellation of Fibroids a Cardinal Sin in 2017?

The diagnosis of an unsuspected leiomyosarcoma after hysterectomy for the treatment of a presumed benign leiomyoma is a rare but highly clinically significant event. In order to facilitate removal of large uterine specimens using a minimally invasive surgical approach, morcellation with extraction in pieces is often performed. In the event of unsuspected malignancy, this may result in abdominal dispersion of the tumor and contribute to poorer survival. Modern surgical innovations always work toward improving minimally invasive strategies. Laparoscopy, rooted in practices for years, supplanted laparotomy for many indications. For extraction of large uteri, morcellation is currently the only way to externalize surgical specimens (myomas, uteri), without increasing the skin opening while allowing to reduce postoperative complications when compared to laparotomy. However, in 2014, the Food and Drug Administration warned against the use of uterine morcellation because of an oncological risk. Some practicing academicians have challenged this recommendation. The incidence of uterine sarcomas is still poorly identified and preoperative diagnostic facilities remain inadequate. The small number of retrospective studies currently available do not reinforce any recommendation. The evaluation of morcellation devices and the improvement of preoperative diagnostic modalities (Imaging, preoperative Biopsy) are being improvised continually so as to minimize the oncological risks. Even during conventional myomectomy, tissue spillage occurs during resection of leiomyoma(s). Adverse oncologic outcomes of tissue morcellation should be mitigated through improved patient selection, preoperative investigations, and novel techniques that minimize tissue dispersion. Preoperative endometrial biopsy and cervical assessment to avoid morcellation of potentially detectable malignant and premalignant conditions is recommended.

Diffuse peritoneal leiomyomatosis status post laparoscopic hysterectomy with power morcellation: A case report with review of literature

•

Leiomyomatosis following laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation is reported.

•

Parasitic myomas grow in a benign fashion but may be fatal depending on location.

•

Fibroids are a contraindication for laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation.

•

Containment bags may address intraperitoneal spillage of malignant tissue.

Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the uterus - time to advocate a genetic classification

INTRODUCTION

Sarcomas are rare uterine tumors with leiomyosarcomas and endometrial stromal sarcomas constituting the predominant entities often making their first appearance in young and middle-aged women. By histology combined with immunostaining alone some of these tumors can offer diagnostic challenges e.g. for the differential diagnosis between leiomyosarcomas and smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP). Areas covered: Recent advances in the genetic classification and subclassification, respectively, have shown that genetic markers can offer a valuable adjunct to conventional diagnostic tools. Herein, we will review these recent data from the literature also referring to genetic alterations found in STUMP, endometrial stromal nodules, and leiomyomas including their variants. Expert commentary: For the future, we consider genetic classification as a necessary step in the clinical management of these tumors which will help not only to improve the diagnosis but also the therapy of these malignancies often associated with a worse prognosis.

Long-Term Survival in a Patient With Abdominal Sarcomatosis From Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: Role of Repeated Laparoscopic Surgery in Treatment and Follow-Up

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) in some cases may disseminate through the abdominal cavity, without extra-abdominal spreading, determining a condition of abdominal sarcomatosis, which represents a peculiar situation. Only radical surgical removal offers a chance of long-term survival in such cases of LMS. Here we describe a case of diffuse abdominal sarcomatosis from uterine LMS in a 51-year-old perimenopausal woman who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total pelvic peritonectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy to the mesenteric inferior artery, and omentectomy. Then, given the high probability of disease recurrence, the patient underwent a close follow-up consisting of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography every 3 months and diagnostic (and if necessary operative) laparoscopy every 6 months. To date, the patient had 11 laparoscopies; 5 of them were preceded by a PET indicative of the presence of disease with high metabolic activity, which was confirmed at surgery and each time completely removed laparoscopically with no evidence of residual disease. To date, 5 years from diagnosis the patient is alive and continues her follow-up. Our report brings to light the ability of laparoscopic surgery to obtain disease control in a case of LMS with abdominal dissemination. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery, as demonstrated in our case, may have an important role in the close follow-up of the disease and allow a timely and early radical surgical approach of relapses before they become extremely large and difficult to remove radically.

To Assess the Safety of Morcellation for Removing Uterine Specimen During Laparoscopic and Vaginal Hysterectomies for Leiomyomas

INTRODUCTION

The ability to offer less invasive surgery for leiomyomas to women often requires the removal of large tissue specimens through small incisions, which is facilitated by morcellation. Electromechanical morcellation may lead to dissemination of occult uterine malignancy throughout the intraperitoneal cavity and may worsen the prognosis.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety of morcellation for removing uterine specimen during laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies for leiomyoma and to find incidence of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) in morcellated specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a retrospective case series done at Aarogya Hospital and Test Tube Baby Centre, Raipur, from January 1, 2011 to November 30, 2015. Total 232 cases were analyzed to assess the safety of vaginal and laparoscopic morcellation technique. All histopathological reports were analyzed to find incidence of LMS in morcellated specimen.

RESULTS

In the study period 55.55 % hysterectomies were performed for fibroid uterus. All patients were multiparous and 82.75 % had not attained menopause. Preoperative cervical cytology and endometrial biopsy reports were not suggestive of malignancy in any case. Histopathology reports of all the morcellated specimens were consistent with leiomyoma.

CONCLUSION

The risk of occult LMS is extremely low, especially in reproductive age group women. We believe that more studies and guidelines are required for Indian women.