Uterine Rupture after Laparoscopic Myomectomy in Two Cases: Real Complication or Malpractice?

We describe two cases of uterine rupture in pregnancy after laparoscopic myomectomy and analyze all the aetiological factors involved in this circumstance according to the recent literature, focusing above all on the surgical procedures and the characteristics of the excised myomas. The two cases of uterine rupture in pregnancy following laparoscopic myomectomy occurred at 36 and 18 weeks of gestation, respectively. Both women had undergone laparoscopic multiple myomectomy and uterine rupture occurred along the isthmic myomectomy scars, despite the fact that compliance with all the recent technical surgical recommendations for the previous laparoscopic multiple myomectomy had been fully observed. In our cases we identified the isthmic localization, size of the excised myomas (≥4 cm), and individual characteristics of the healing process as possible risk factors for “a real complication.” Larger studies and robust case-control analyses are needed to draw reliable conclusions; special care should be paid when performing laparoscopic myomectomy in women planning a later pregnancy.

[Treatment of surgical wounds on the uterus after laparoscopic myomectomy]

INTRODUCTION

The advantages of laparoscopic removal of a myoma over classical surgical technique are shorter hospital stay, rapid recovery and less pain after surgery, as well as a lower frequency of ileus and thromboembolic complications. The surgical technique of laparoscopic removal of myoma involves four basic stages: incision on the wall of the uterus, separation of the myoma from the healthy uterine tissue, to stop bleeding and removal of the myoma from the abdomen. Apart from these four basic stages, it is also necessary to establish a new integrity of the uterine wall, especially in women planning pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the paper is to present the procedures used in the treatment of uterine wall defect during the laparoscopic removal of the myoma.

METHODS

We analysed 96 patients who were indicated for laparoscopic myomectomy. All patients were divided into four groups according to the type of the technique of haemostasis and treatment of the defect on the uterine wall: electrocoagulation, electrocoagulation with application of argon plasma, a single suture and extended suture.

RESULTS

In order to stop bleeding, we most often used electrocoagulation by monopolar electricity, i.e. in 39.6% of the patients. To stop bleeding and treat the defect of the uterine wall, we used a single suture in 21.9% and in 11.4% patients we used the extended suture. The manner of uterine wall treatment did not have a statistically significant influence on the results of haematological parameters (p > 0.05), consumption of carbon dioxide (p > 0.05) and the duration of surgical procedure (p > 0.05). The increased use of antibiotics (p < 0.05) in the group of patients in whom we treated the defect by sutures on the uterus, the length of postsurgical hospitalisation and absence from work (p < 0.01) was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

To achieve a better reconstruction of the uterus, it is recommended to use sutures with laparoscopic removal of myoma.

Effect of thread pitch on pull-out strength of laparoscopic myoma screws

AIM

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of thread-pitch on pull-out strength and bending strength of buttress-thread screws designed for laparoscopic myoma extraction.

METHODS

The ultimate failure load of four 5-mm diameter buttress-thread screws with 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-mm thread pitch, 40 mm in thread-length were examined on fresh myoma specimens. The myoma tissue at each traction site was evaluated histologically to determine its density. The critical minimal pull-out strength based on moderate-density myoma group was estimated. The bending strength was also determined for each screw.

RESULTS

A wide range of ultimate failure loads with a mean +/- SE of 129.3 +/- 5.5 N (range, 30.4-255.7 N) for all screws and tissue densities was recorded. In moderate-density myomas, the mean ultimate failure loads decreased linearly with increasing thread-pitch from 3 mm (148.0 +/- 9.5 N) to 6 mm (119.8 +/- 9.4 N) (test for trend: P < 0.05). Based on the criterion of a minimum pull-out strength of at least 50 N in not less than 95% of tractions in medium-density myomas, the 3-mm and 5-mm pitch screws were found to have acceptable properties. The 5-mm pitch screw had less thread-turn than the 3-mm pitch for the same thread-length and would need less application time. The bending strength also decreased with increasing thread pitch from 3 to 5 mm, then became stable at around 15 N.

CONCLUSIONS

The pull-out strength of soft tissue buttress-thread screws decreased linearly with increasing thread-pitch. Thread-pitch should be considered when designing laparoscopic myoma-screws.