Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy and Laparoscopic Total Hysterectomy in Patients with Very Large Uteri: a Retrospective Single-Center Experience at a Major University Hospital

Hysterectomy Techniques and Outcomes for Benign Large Uteri: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To identify the optimal hysterectomy approach for large uteri in gynecologic surgery for benign indications from a perioperative morbidity standpoint.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed and Embase databases were searched from inception through September 19, 2022. Meta-analyses were conducted as feasible.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

This review included studies that compared routes of hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for large uteri (12 weeks or more or 250 g or more) and excluded studies with any concurrent surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, gynecologic malignancy, or any obstetric indication for hysterectomy.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The review included 25 studies comprising nine randomized trials, two prospective, and 14 retrospective nonrandomized comparative studies. Studies were at high risk of bias. There was lower operative time for total vaginal hysterectomy compared with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) (mean difference 39 minutes, 95% CI, 18-60) and total vaginal hysterectomy compared with total laparoscopic hysterectomy (mean difference 50 minutes, 95% CI, 29-70). Total laparoscopic hysterectomy was associated with much greater risk of ureteral injury compared with total vaginal hysterectomy (odds ratio 7.54, 95% CI, 2.52-22.58). There were no significant differences in bowel injury rates between groups. There were no differences in length of stay among the laparoscopic approaches. For LAVH compared with total vaginal hysterectomy, randomized controlled trials favored total vaginal hysterectomy for length of stay. When rates of blood transfusion were compared between these abdominal hysterectomy and robotic-assisted total hysterectomy routes, abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a sixfold greater risk of transfusion than robotic-assisted total hysterectomy (6.31, 95% CI, 1.07-37.32). Similarly, single studies comparing robotic-assisted total hysterectomy with LAVH, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, or total vaginal hysterectomy all favored robotic-assisted total hysterectomy for reduced blood loss.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive routes are safe and effective and have few complications. Minimally invasive approach (vaginal, laparoscopic, or robotic) results in lower blood loss and shorter length of stay, whereas the abdominal route has a shorter operative time.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42021233300.

Evaluation of complications, conversion rate, malignancy rate, and, surgeon's experience in laparoscopic assisted supracervical hysterectomy (LASH) of 1274 large uteri: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

Hysterectomy now belongs to standard gynecological procedures. Moreover, a shift towards laparoscopic techniques is ever more apparent as they provide many advantages such as less traumatization and shorter convalescence. Large uteri are still mentioned as contraindications for laparoscopic hysterectomy even though those patients might benefit from the lower morbidity associated with minimal invasive techniques. In this study, the largest reported so far, we analyzed intraoperative and postoperative complications as well as the surgeon's experience of laparoscopic assisted supracervical hysterectomy (LASH) in patients with a uterus weight over 500 g.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present retrospective study, between June 27, 1998 and August 31, 2019, evaluates 1274 patients with a uterus weight over 500 g who were treated with LASH for benign uterine diseases at the Clinic for Minimal Invasive Surgery (Berlin, Germany). All surgeries were performed by one of four in-house surgeons with experience in LASH: they had performed at least 500 LASH procedures before the study. Patients receiving surgical treatment for malignant tumors were not included in the study. Major and minor intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded and evaluated. Additionally, medical files were evaluated for demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists score (I-IV), name of the surgeon, duration and indication for surgery, history of previous gynecological procedures and concomitant surgical interventions, weight of removed uterine tissue, duration of postoperative hospitalization in patients with complications, intraoperative conversion from laparoscopy to laparotomy, and malignancy rate.

RESULTS

The mean age was 47.0 ± 7.3 years and mean body mass index was 25.6 ± 7.1 kg/m² . Average parity was 1.04 ± 1.57. Average uterus weight was 761.8 ± 317.9 g (500-4065 g). The mean duration of surgery was 96.9 ± 49.5 min; 54% of all patients were treated without concomitant intervention, conversion rate was 2.12%. The malignancy rate was 0.4% and the complication rate was 6.81% with 1.36% intraoperative complications and 5.45% postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall low complication and malignancy rates observed in this study allow us to present LASH as a safe and efficient alternative laparoscopic approach to remove uteri of any size in the hands of experienced surgeons.

Cervical stump necrosis after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy: successful management by laparoscopic approach

Persistent bleeding from the remaining cervix after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH) is normally related to the presence of residual functioning endometrial tissue. However, postoperative significant vaginal hemorrhage caused by cervical necrosis following LSH is relatively rare. A 39-year-old nulligravida was admitted to the emergency department with hypovolemic shock after LSH performed in another hospital for treatment of uterine fibroids 18 days previously. Following hemodynamic stabilization and mechanical tamponade of the bleeding uterine cervix, laparoscopic simple trachelectomy was carried out and antibiotics were administered. The patient developed no surgical or clinical complications and was discharged 4 days after surgery. Histologic examination revealed extensive areas of tissue necrosis and no signs of malignancy. Stump necrosis and accompanying bleeding are rare but serious complications of LSH. Infection is an important component of this entity and should be treated. Endoscopic management of this condition appears to be feasible and safe.

Single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy for uteri greater than 500 grams

OBJECTIVES

To study the operative outcomes of single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy in uteri greater than 500 g, using either laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) or laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

78 patients were included in a single institute by a single surgeon from March, 2013 to January, 2018.

RESULTS

The median uterine weight was 686.5 g. Larger uterine weight was correlated with longer operative time and greater estimated blood loss. Two types of operations were performed: LAVH (n = 55) or LSH (n = 23). There were no differences in operative time (150.2 ± 45.1 vs. 158.6 ± 82.1, P = 0.66) and estimated blood loss (365.8 ± 298.5 vs. 356.5 ± 46.6, ml, P = 0.94) between LAVH and LSH. However, patients in LAVH had more excess blood loss (>500 mL) compared with LSH (32.7% vs. 21.7%, P = 0.42). In the later study period, the operative time was shorter and complication rates were lower. Such differences were especially significant in the LAVH group. By multiple regression analysis, operative time was independently correlated with age, body mass index, estimated blood loss and uterine weight in LAVH. The correlation between operative time and uterine weight in LSH was attenuated by estimated blood loss. Estimated blood loss was the dominant factor correlated with longer operative time in LSH.

CONCLUSIONS

Both LAVH and LSH could be feasible in uteri greater than 500 g. LSH appeared to have less complication and less blood loss than LAVH. Operative time was correlated significantly with bleeding amount. Therefore, better bleeding control and surgical experience were warrants for single-port laparoscopic hysterectomy in uteri greater than 500 g.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Hysterectomy for Benign Disease in Uteri Weighing >1 kg: A Retrospective Analysis on 258 Patients

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To present a large single-center series of hysterectomies for uteri ≥1 kg and to compare the laparoscopic and open abdominal approach in terms of perioperative outcomes and complications.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

An academic research center.

PATIENTS

Consecutive women who underwent hysterectomy for uteri ≥1 kg between January 2000 and December 2016. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of uterine malignancy or suspected uterine malignancy were excluded. The subjects were divided according to the intended initial surgical approach (i.e., open or laparoscopic). The 2 groups were compared in terms of intraoperative data and postoperative outcomes. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify possible independent predictors of overall complications. A subanalysis including only obese women was accomplished.

INTERVENTIONS

Total laparoscopic versus abdominal hysterectomy (±bilateral adnexectomy).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Intra- and postoperative surgical outcomes. A total of 258 patients were included; 55 (21.3%) women were initially approached by open surgery and 203 (78.7%) by laparoscopy. Nine (4.4%) conversions from laparoscopic to open surgery were registered. The median operative time was longer in the laparoscopic group (120 [range, 50-360] vs 85 [range, 35-240] minutes, p = .014). The estimated blood loss (150 [range, 0-1700] vs 200 [50-3000] mL, p = .04), postoperative hemoglobin drop, and hospital stay (1 [range, 1-8] vs 3 [range, 1-8] days, p < .001) were lower among patients operated by laparoscopy. No difference was found between groups in terms of intra- and postoperative complications. However, the overall rate of complications (10.8% vs. 27.2%, p = .015) and the incidence of significant complications (defined as intraoperative adverse events or postoperative Clavien-Dindo ≥2 events, 4.4% vs 10.9%, p = .04) were significantly higher among patients who initially received open surgery. The laparoscopic approach was found to be the only independent predictor of a lower incidence of overall complications (odds ratio = 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.9). The overall morbidity of minimally invasive hysterectomy was lower also in the subanalysis concerning only obese patients.

CONCLUSION

In experienced hands and in dedicated centers, laparoscopic hysterectomy for uteri weighing ≥1 kg is feasible and safe. Minimally invasive surgery retains its well-known advantages over open surgery even in patients with extremely enlarged uteri.