Sonographic and Magnetic Resonance Characteristics of Gynecological Sarcoma

Exploring Surgical Strategies for Uterine Fibroid Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Literature on Open and Minimally Invasive Approaches

Background and Objectives: Uterine myomas represent one of the most prevalent pathologies affecting the female population. These benign neoplasms originate from the smooth muscular cells of the uterus, and they can be either single or multiple. Often associated with debilitating symptoms such as pelvic heaviness, pain, constipation, and urinary dysfunctions, the surgical management of myomectomy exhibits considerable variability. This diversity in approaches is influenced by factors such as the number and size of myomas, the patient's age, and overall clinical conditions. This study aims to elucidate and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different surgical approaches, specifically endoscopic procedures versus open surgery, providing valuable insights for clinical decision making. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive bibliographic search spanning from 2013 to 2023 was systematically conducted across databases including Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The search utilized keywords such as "myomectomy laparoscopic and open", "myomectomy open and minimally invasive", "myomectomy open and laparoscopic", and "myomectomy open vs. laparoscopic." The research methodology, along with predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, was established prior to the search, ensuring a systematic and rigorous approach. Subsequently, data analysis was carried out. Results: Following the study selection process, 25 articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The average numbers of myomas were 3.7 (ranging from 1 to 13.7) and 5.4 (ranging from 1 to 13.5) for the minimally invasive surgery and open surgery groups, respectively. In terms of myoma size, the total averages across studies were 7 cm (ranging from 4.8 to 14) for the minimally invasive group and 8 cm (ranging from 3.9 to 11.2) for the open surgery group. The average pregnancy and delivery rates were 29.7% (ranging from 1.8 to 100) for the minimally invasive group and 28.5% (ranging from 1.8 to 100) for the open surgery group. Regarding complications, the average rate was 14.2% (ranging from 0 to 50) for the endoscopic group and 22.3% (ranging from 0 to 60.3) for the laparotomic group. Conclusions: In conclusion, a critical factor influencing the choice of surgical approach is primarily the size and quantity of fibroids. The mini-laparotomic approach emerges as a viable alternative to endoscopy, demonstrating favorable surgical outcomes and aesthetic results. Interestingly, the type of surgical procedure appears to have no significant impact on the pregnancy rate.

Contained Power Morcellation in Laparoscopic Uterine Myoma Surgeries: A Brief Review

Uterine fibromas are the most common benign uterine tumors. Although the majority of leiomyomas remain asymptomatic, they can cause serious clinical problems, including abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and infertility, which require effective gynecological intervention. Depending on the symptoms as well as patients' preferences, various treatment options are available, such as medical therapy, non-invasive procedures, and surgical methods. Regardless of the extent of the surgery, the preferred option is the laparoscopic approach. To reduce the risk of spreading occult malignancy and myometrial cells associated with fragmentation of the specimen before its removal from the peritoneal cavity, special systems for laparoscopic contained morcellation have been developed. The aim of this review is to present the state-of-the-art contained morcellation. Different types of available retrieval bags are demonstrated. The advantages and difficulties associated with contained morcellation are described. The impact of retrieval bag usage on the course of surgery, as well as the effects of the learning curve, are discussed. The role of contained morcellation in the overall strategy to optimize patient safety is highlighted.

Implementation of robot-assisted myomectomy in a large university hospital: a retrospective descriptive study

Background

Background: Myomectomy is often the preferred treatment for symptomatic patients with myomas who wish to preserve their fertility, with a shift from open surgery towards minimally invasive techniques.

Objectives

Retrospective study assessing patient and surgery characteristics, follow-up, and outcomes of robot-assisted myomectomy (RAM) and abdominal myomectomy (AM) in women treated between January 1, 2018, and February 28, 2022, in a Belgian tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive analysis was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent myomectomies. 2018 was considered the learning curve for RAM.

Main outcome measures

We assessed rate of open surgery, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and operative complications.

Results

In total, 94 RAMs and 15 AMs were performed. The rate of AMs was 56.5% in 2018 versus 2.3% after the learning curve. The median operation time for RAM was 136.5 minutes and 131 minutes for AM. Conversion rate for RAM was 0%. The median postoperative hospital stay after RAM was 1 night and 4 nights for AM. Postoperative complication rate was low, with only 14.9% and 33.3% of patients requiring pharmacological treatment of complications after RAM or AM, respectively. No surgical re-intervention was needed in any group.

Conclusions

Implementation of RAM at our centre resulted in a significant reduction of open surgery rate. RAM demonstrated shorter hospital stays and a lower incidence of complications compared to AM.

What is new?

Our study highlights the successful adoption of RAM, showcasing its potential to replace AM even in complex cases. The findings affirm the safety and feasibility of RAM, supporting its use as a valuable technique for minimally invasive myomectomy.