Adverse outcomes related to morcellation in Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the complications associated with morcellation in Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) procedures, providing evidence-based insights to enhance patient safety and surgical efficacy.

DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The inclusion criteria were Studies that focused on morcellation and morcellation-related complications were included. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using established evaluation scales.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Thirteen studies investigating complications associated with morcellation in TLH (Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy) were included in this review.This review covers intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, loss of bag integrity, mean uterine specimen and weight, morcellation time, operation time, and TLH morcellation complications.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The selected studies covered different approaches and aspects related to this procedure, providing valuable insights into the factors associated with complications and efficacy of the technique in various clinical settings.This review highlights the importance of evaluating and considering complications associated with morcellation in TLH.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this review provide valuable insights into complications associated with morcellation in TLH. Clinicians could use this information to make informed decisions, implement safe protocols, and improve patient care. Addressing these complications will enhance the safety and efficacy of morcellation for TLH. Ethical Compliance: All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Comparison of perioperative surgical outcomes between contained and free manual vaginal morcellation of large uteruses following total laparoscopic hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare contained and free manual vaginal morcellation of large uteruses after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) in women at low risk of uterine malignancy in terms of feasibility and safety.

METHODS

A single-center, observational, retrospective, cohort study was carried out including all patients undergoing TLH requiring manual vaginal morcellation for specimen extraction of large uteruses from January 2015 to August 2021 at the Division of Gynecology and Human Reproduction Physiopathology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of manual vaginal morcellation (contained or free), and compared in terms of demographic, clinical, and perioperative data.

RESULTS

In all, 271 patients were included: 186 (68.6%) in the contained morcellation group and 85 (31.4%) in the free morcellation group. The mean operative time was significantly lower in the contained morcellation group compared with the free morcellation group (median [interquartile range] 130 [45] vs. 155 [60] min; P < 0.001). No significant difference was found in complications related to the morcellation step, overall, intraoperative and postoperative complications, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stays, uterine weight, and rate of occult malignancy between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Contained vaginal manual morcellation of the uterus after total laparoscopic hysterectomy using a specimen retrieval bag appears to be a safe procedure with significantly lower operative time than free vaginal manual morcellation.

Evaluation of whether there is residual polyp tissue after hysteroscopic morcellation at Cam and Sakura City Hospital: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

In polypectomy with mechanical hysteroscopic morcellators, the tissue removal procedure continues until no polyp tissue remains. The decision that the polypoid tissues were removed completely is made based on visual evaluation. In a situation where the polyp tissue was visually completely removed and no doubt that the polyp has been completely removed, short spindle-like tissue fragments on the polyp floor continue in most patients. There are no studies in the literature on whether visual evaluation provides adequate information at the cellular level in many patients in whom polypoid tissues have been determined to be completely removed. The aim of the present study was to analyze the pathological results of the curettage procedure, which was applied following the completion of polyp removal with operative hysteroscopy, and to evaluate whether there was residual polyp tissue in the short spindle-like tissue fragments that the mechanical hysteroscopic morcellator could not remove. The secondary aims of this study were to compare conventional loop resection hysteroscopy with hysteroscopic morcellation for the removal of endometrial polyps in terms of hemoglobin/hematocrit changes, polypectomy time and the amount of medium deficit.

METHODS

A total of 70 patients with a single pedunculate polypoid image of 1.5-2 cm, which was primarily visualized by office hysteroscopy, were included in the study. Patients who had undergone hysteroscopic polypectomy were divided into two groups according to the surgical device used: the morcellator group (n = 35, Group M) and the resectoscope group (n = 35, Group R). The histopathological results of hysteroscopic specimens and curettage materials of patients who had undergone curettage at the end of operative hysteroscopy were evaluated. In addition, the postoperative 24th hour Hb/HCT decrease amounts in percentage, the polypectomy time which was measured from the start of morcellation, and deficit differences were compared between groups.

RESULTS

In total, 7 patients in the morcellator group had residual polyp tissue detected in the full curettage material. The blood loss was lower in the morcellator group than in the resectoscope group (M, R; (-0.07 ± 0.08), (-0,11 ± 0.06), (p < 0.05), respectively). The deficit value of the morcellator group were higher (M, R; (500 ml), (300 ml), (p < 0.05), respectively). The polypectomy time was shorter in the morcellator group (M, R; mean (2.30 min), (4.6 min), (p < 0.05)).

CONCLUSIONS

Even if the lesion is completely visibly removed during hysteroscopic morcellation, extra caution should be taken regarding the possibility of residual tissue. There is a need for new studies investigating the presence of residual polyp tissue.

Hysteroscopic morcellation vs. curettage for removal of retained products of conception: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To study the comparison between hysteroscopic morcellation (HM) of retained products of conception (RPOC) with ultrasound (US)-guided electric vacuum aspiration in terms of intrauterine adhesion (IUA) formation, efficacy, and complications.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled, nonblinded trial.

SETTING

Three teaching hospitals and one university hospital from April 2015 to June 2022.

PATIENTS

A total of 133 women with RPOC on US, ranging from 1-4 cm, were randomized to receive either HM or electric vacuum aspiration.

INTERVENTION

Hysteroscopic morcellation was performed with the TruClear System (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Electric vacuum aspiration was performed using an 8- or 10-mm flexible plastic Karman cannula under US guidance. Women allocated to vacuum aspiration underwent the procedure as soon as possible.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

In the HM group, an office diagnostic hysteroscopy was planned a minimum of 6 weeks after the end of pregnancy, followed by retained product of conception removal at least 8 weeks after the end of the pregnancy. Postoperatively, an office second-look hysteroscopy was scheduled to assess the primary outcome of IUAs.

RESULTS

Postoperative IUAs were seen in 14.3% (9/63) of patients in the HM group and 20.6% (13/64) of patients in the vacuum aspiration group (-6% [-19.1% to 7.1%]). Significantly more RPOC were removed completely by HM compared with vacuum aspiration (95.2% vs. 82.5% (-14% [-24.9% to -3.1%]), and additional operative hysteroscopy was less frequently necessary in the HM group (12.5%) compared with the vacuum aspiration group (31.3%) (-20.1% [-34.3% to -6%]). The median operating time was shorter for vacuum aspiration compared with HM (5.80 minutes vs. 7.15 minutes). No differences were observed between HM and vacuum aspiration for the occurrence of intraoperative or postoperative complications (5.5% vs. 5.0% and 2.7% vs. 1.3%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In our randomized controlled trial, no significant differences were found in the occurrence of IUAs and complications. However, the RPOC were more often completely removed by HM than vacuum aspiration, and the HM group required fewer additional hysteroscopic treatments.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NTR4923 (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR4923). Date of registration: November 23, 2014, date of initial participant enrollment: January 1, 2015.

Contained specimen morcellation during robotics-assisted laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Robotics-assisted laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (RALSH) with concomitant apical robotics-assisted POP repair provides advantages of minimally invasive procedures; however specimen removal without intraperitoneal spillage of potential pathology remains challenging. The primary aim of our study is to determine the factors affecting contained manual morcellation (CMM) of specimens during RALSH for POP surgery. The secondary aim of the study is to report complications associated with CMM and on specimen pathology.

METHODS

A total of 67 sequential patients underwent RALSH with concomitant robotics-assisted sacrocolpopexy or uterosacral vaginal suspension. Factors analyzed to affect CMM were specimen weight, length of skin and fascia incisions, patient age, body mass index (BMI), and estimated blood loss (EBL).

RESULTS

Median CMM time was 11 min (1 to 46) and specimen weight 62 g (19 to 711). Median patient age was 56 years (36 to 83), and patient BMI was 28 (18 to 44). Median EBL was 50 ml (10 to 150). Median skin and fascial incision lengths were 3 cm (1.5 to 7), and 3.5 cm (1.5 to 8). CMM time was significantly dependent on specimen weight (p < 0.0001) and length of rectus fascia incision (p < 0.0126). There was no gross tissue spillage or bag ruptures. Uterine pathology revealed normal tissue (26%), leiomyoma (47%), adenomyosis (49%), and endometriosis (14%). 4.5% of specimens had evidence of microscopic neoplasm, and 5 years after surgery patients were cancer free.

CONCLUSION

Contained manual extraction of the uterus and/or adnexae at the time of RALSH for POP surgery is a viable, safe, and efficient method of specimen removal.

The merging of dual umbilical port-incisions for contained morcellation in laparoscopic myomectomy

Uncontained power morcellation during laparoscopic myomectomy may spread tissue fragments or malignant cells into the abdominal cavity. Recently, various approaches to contained morcellation, have been adopted to retrieve the specimen. However, each of these methods has its own drawbacks. Intraabdominal bag-contained power morcellation adopts a complex isolation system, which prolongs the operation and increases medical costs. Contained manual morcellation via colpotomy or mini-laparotomy increases the trauma and the risk of infection. Contained manual morcellation via umbilical incision during single-port laparoscopic myomectomy may be the most minimally invasive and cosmetic approach. But the popularization of single-port laparoscopy is challenging because of technical difficulties and high costs. We have therefore, developed a surgical technique using 2 umbilical port-incisions (5 mm and 10 mm), which are merged into 1 large umbilical incision (25-30mm) for contained manual morcellation during specimen retrieval, and one 5mm incision in the lower left abdomen for an ancillary instrument. As demonstrated in the video, this technique significantly facilitates surgical manipulation using conventional laparoscopic instruments while still keeping the incisions minimal. It is also economical because the use of an expensive single-port platform and special surgical instruments is avoided. In conclusion, the merging of dual umbilical port-incisions for contained morcellation adds a minimally invasive, cosmetic, and economical option to laparoscopic specimen retrieval that would enrich a gynecologist's skill set, which is particularly relevant in a low-resource settings.

An intrauterine cavity morcellator: A novel approach to high volume uterus morcellation. Ex-vivo study

OBJECTIVE

Uterine size is one of the essential factors determining the feasibility of a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery approach. A traditional electromechanical morcellator is a well-known tool but not without flaws. We aim to assess feasibility and safety of a novel intrauterine power morcellation device for uterine size reduction to overcome these limitations during hysterectomy.

METHODS

This single-arm, observational study was conducted in a single tertiary care medical center from April 2022 to July 2022. Feasibility and safety of a novel intrauterine morcellation device for uterine size reduction was tested in ten post-hysterectomy uteri (Ex-vivo).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Ten uteri were examined in this trial. No major complications occurred during the procedure. All ten (10) uteri were successfully reduced in size (size reduction range was between 9% to 54%). The average resection time using the Heracure Device was 4.3 minutes (range: 1min- 10min). Mean uterus weight reduction was 21%, with a mean circumference reduction of 25%. No leakage was observed from the outer surface of the uterus/serosa after the saline injection post-procedure examination.

CONCLUSION

In this novel experiment, we verified the feasibility and safety of the Heracure device for vaginal intra-uterine morcellation for uterine size reduction. This technique could enable rapid and easy removal of the uterus through the vaginal orifice.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Name of the registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Number Identifier: NCT05332132.

[Application of transvaginal morcellation within disposable extraction bag with traction wire in laparoscopic myomectomy]

To investigate the effect and clinical value of morcellation within disposable extraction bag with traction wire through posterior vaginal fornix in laparoscopic myomectomy. A total of 42 patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy and morcellation through posterior vaginal fornix in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from June 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. After the uterine fibroids were removed, the fibroids were placed into the extraction bag, tightening the mouth of the bag with a traction wire to make it airtight. After the uterine incisions were sutured, the extraction bag was taken out through the posterior fornix of the vagina, and the fibroids were broken up with a scalpel in the bag and taken out. The fibroids were successfully removed from the 42 patients through the posterior fornix of the vagina. There were no fibroids fragments found in the peritoneal cavity and vagina. There were no malignant cells or spindle cells found in the peritoneal lavage cytology before and after the operation. After filling the extraction bags with water, there was no leakage. There were 39 cases of uterine leiomyoma, 2 cases of cell-rich uterine leiomyoma, and 1 case of smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential in postoperative pathological diagnosis. Forty-two cases were followed up for 6 to 30 months. The posterior vaginal fornix incision healed well and there was no recurrence or metastasis. Morcellation within disposable extraction bag with traction wire through posterior vaginal fornix in laparoscopic myomectomy is a safe and feasible method for fibroids removal, which may help to reduce the dissemination of iatrogenic tumors.

A prospective randomized controlled trial comparing the effect and safety of Piranha and VersaCut morcellation devices in transurethral holmium laser enucleation of the prostate

PURPOSE

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is reported to be widely used in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which consists of two procedures: enucleation and morcellation. This study is to examine the efficiency and safety of two different morcellator systems within a cohort of men undergoing HoLEP for BPH.

METHODS

A total of 210 consecutive patients undergoing HoLEP and morcellation procedures were enrolled. Individuals were randomly divided into 2 separated groups: the first group (105 patients) was performed with a nephroscope using a mechanical Versacut morcellator and the second (105 patients) was performed with the new morcellation system, nephroscopes and Piranha morcellator. Perioperative characteristics were studied and analyzed.

RESULTS

The morcellation time and the morcellation rate was similar when the prostate volume (PV) ≤ 60 mL while the morcellation time was significantly shorter and the morcellation rate was higher in the Piranha group with PV > 60 mL. No significant difference was observed according to the bladder irrigation time, indwelling catheter time, and discharge time.

CONCLUSION

Piranha morcellator presents a higher efficiency for the prostate over 60 mL.

The role of power morcellation in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery

OBJECTIVE

To summarize recent data and knowledge of laparoscopic power morcellation.

METHODS

Review of articles.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic morcellation has been introduced to gynecologic surgery in 90s. In 2014, Food and Drug Administration announced negative statement about the morcellation use due to the risk of potential spreading of malignant tumor cells. This statement reduced utilization of morcellation, especially in the United States. Since that, many health institutions and organizations started new researches focused on the safety of this surgical technique. After a couple of years, the morcellation is considered as a useful tool if certain rules are followed.

CONCLUSION

Morcellation has a place in laparoscopic operative procedures even in 2022, in condition of correct selection of patients and possible utilization of contained in-bag morcellation.

Hospital variation in responses to safety warnings about power morcellation in hysterectomy

BACKGROUND

Safety warnings about power morcellation in 2014 considerably changed hysterectomy practice, especially for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy that typically requires morcellation to remove the corpus uteri while preserving the cervix. Hospitals might vary in how they respond to safety warnings and altered hysterectomy procedures to avoid use of power morcellation. However, there has been little data on how hospitals differ in their practice changes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine whether hospitals varied in their use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy after safety warnings about power morcellation and compare the risk of surgical complications at hospitals that had different response trajectories in use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective analysis of data from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System and the State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases from 14 other states. We identified women aged ≥18 years undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications in the hospital inpatient and outpatient settings from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2015. We calculated a risk-adjusted utilization rate of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy for each hospital in each calendar quarter after accounting for patient clinical risk factors. Applying a growth mixture modeling approach, we identified distinct groups of hospitals that exhibited different trajectories of using laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy over time. Within each trajectory group, we compared patients' risk of surgical complications in the prewarning (2013Q4-2014Q1), transition (2014Q2-2014Q4), and postwarning (2015Q1-2015Q3) period using multivariable regressions.

RESULTS

Among 212,146 women undergoing benign hysterectomy at 511 hospitals, the use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy decreased from 15.1% in 2013Q4 to 6.2% in 2015Q3. The use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy at these 511 hospitals exhibited 4 distinct trajectory patterns: persistent low use (mean risk-adjusted utilization rate of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy changed from 2.8% in 2013Q4 to 0.6% in 2015Q3), decreased medium use (17.0% to 6.9%), decreased high use (51.4% to 24.2%), and rapid abandonment (30.5% to 0.8%). In the meantime, use of open abdominal hysterectomy increased by 2.1, 4.1, 7.8, and 11.8 percentage points between the prewarning and postwarning periods in these 4 trajectory groups, respectively. Compared with the prewarning period, the risk of major complications in the postwarning period decreased among patients at "persistent low use" hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.94). In contrast, the risk of major complications increased among patients at "rapid abandonment" hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.98), and the risk of minor complications increased among patients at "decreased high use" hospitals (adjusted odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.72).

CONCLUSION

Hospitals varied in their use of laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy after safety warnings about power morcellation. Complication risk increased at hospitals that shifted considerably toward open abdominal hysterectomy.

Hysteroscopic morcellation for removal of persistent placental remnants in the uterine cornu: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Hysteroscopic morcellation is an alternative approach for the removal of placental remnants, given its advantages of safety, efficiency and good reproductive outcomes. This superiority can be even more obvious for removing persistent placental remnants in the lateral angle of the uterine cavity after repeated dilation and curettage (D&C) of an angular pregnancy, which is rarely reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Two patients who were both initially misdiagnosed as having missed intrauterine miscarriages underwent repeated suction-assisted D&C procedures and were found to have persistent placental remnants in the lateral angles of the uterine cavity.

DIAGNOSES

Ultrasound and hysteroscopy evaluations showed that placental remnants in both cases were in the lateral uterine angles and protruding to the interstitial myometrium around the fallopian tube. We corrected the diagnosis to that of angular pregnancy according to a comprehensive consideration of the ultrasound, hysteroscopy and pathology results.

INTERVENTIONS

We performed MyoSure hysteroscopic morcellation for both patients and the placental remnants were removed completely without any complication.

OUTCOMES

The patients were both scheduled for a second-look hysteroscopy 1 to 3 months after surgery, which revealed normal morphology of the uterine cavities and tubal ostia. The patients both achieved normal intrauterine pregnancies several months after surgery.

LESSONS

Hysteroscopic morcellation is a good alternative approach for the removal of placental remnants and should be considered in cases in which there might be a high risk of incomplete evacuation or a high risk of uterine perforation, especially in cases of angular pregnancy.

Disseminated ovarian granulosa cell tumor after laparoscopic surgery: Two case reports

RATIONALE

Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) have an incidence of 0.6 to 0.8/100,000. Short-term relapsed ovarian GCT is extremely rare. Herein, this report aims to present 2 rare cases of disseminated ovarian GCT and analyze the causes of recurrence.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The 2 patients presented with abdominal pain.

DIAGNOSIS

Both the patients were diagnosed with relapsed ovarian GCT (IIIc stage) in the adult type.

INTERVENTIONS

The 2 patients had a medical history of surgery for ovarian GCT by using laparoscopic with power morcellators (LPM). They experienced relapsed ovarian GCT postoperatively. Subsequently, they received a repeated operation through a laparotomy approach. Numerous malignant metastasis neoplasms were detected at the port-sites. Then, tumor resection was performed.

OUTCOMES

The postoperative pathologies of both case 1 and case 2 reported ovarian GCT (IIIc stage) in adult type. The 2 patients presented disease-free survival for more than 33 months follow-up period.

LESSONS

The application of LPM may be a risk factor of disseminated ovarian GCT. However, laparoscopic surgery is still an optimal treatment strategy for ovarian tumors. Besides, gynecologists should comply with the tumor-free principle during surgery.

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.

In-bag manual versus uncontained power morcellation for laparoscopic myomectomy

BACKGROUND

Uterine leiomyomas, also referred to as myomas or fibroids, are benign tumours arising from the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium. They are the most common pelvic tumour in women. The estimated rate of leiomyosarcoma, found during surgery for presumed benign leiomyomas, is about 0.51 per 1000 procedures, or approximately 1 in 2000. Treatment options for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas include medical, surgical, and radiologically-guided interventions. Laparoscopic myomectomy is the gold standard surgical approach for women who want offspring, or otherwise wish to retain their uterus. A limitation of laparoscopy is the inability to remove large specimens from the abdominal cavity through the laparoscope. To overcome this challenge, the morcellation approach was developed, during which larger specimens are broken into smaller pieces in order to remove them from the abdominal cavity via the port site. However, intracorporeal power morcellation may lead to scattering of benign tissues, with the risk of spreading leiomyoma or endometriosis. In cases of unsuspected malignancy, power morcellation can cause unintentional dissemination of malignant cells, and lead to a poorer prognosis by upstaging the occult cancer. A strategy to optimise women's safety is to morcellate the specimens inside a bag. In-bag morcellation may avoid the dissemination of tissue fragments.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of protected in-bag extracorporeal manual morcellation during laparoscopic myomectomy compared to intra-abdominal uncontained power morcellation.

SEARCH METHODS

On 1 July 2019, we searched; the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialized Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS, PubMed, Google Scholar, and two trials registers. We reviewed the reference lists of all retrieved full-text articles, and contacted experts in the field for additional and ongoing trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomised controlled trials comparing in-bag extracorporeal manual morcellation versus intracorporeal uncontained power morcellation during laparoscopic myomectomy in premenopausal women.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We followed standard Cochrane methods. Two review authors independently reviewed the eligibility of trials, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias. Data were checked for accuracy. The summary measures were reported as risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The outcomes of interest were a composite of intraoperative and postoperative complications, operative times, ease of morcellation, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, conversion to laparotomy, and postoperative diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. Results for the five main outcomes follow.

MAIN RESULTS

We included two trials, enrolling 176 premenopausal women with fibroids, who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy. The experimental group received in-bag manual morcellation, during which each enucleated myoma was placed into a specimen retrieval bag, and manually morcellated with scalpel or scissors. In the control group, intracorporeal uncontained power morcellation was used to reduce the size of the myomas. No intraoperative complications, including accidental morcellation of the liver, conversion to laparotomy, endoscopic bag disruption, bowel injury, bleeding, accidental injury to any viscus or vessel, were reported in either group in either trial. We found very low-quality evidence of inconclusive results for total operative time (MD 9.93 minutes, 95% CI -1.35 to 21.20; 2 studies, 176 participants; I² = 35%), and ease of morcellation (MD -0.73 points, 95% CI -1.64 to 0.18; 1 study, 104 participants). The morcellation operative time was a little longer for the in-bag manual morcellation group, however the quality of the evidence was very low (MD 2.59 minutes, 95% CI 0.45 to 4.72; 2 studies, 176 participants; I² = 0%). There were no postoperative diagnoses of leiomyosarcoma made in either group in either trial. We are very uncertain of any of these results. We downgraded the quality of the evidence due to indirectness and imprecision, because of limited sites in high-income settings and countries, small sample sizes, wide confidence intervals, and few events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There are limited data on the effectiveness and safety of in-bag morcellation at the time of laparoscopic myomectomy compared to uncontained power morcellation. We were unable to determine the effects of in-bag morcellation on intraoperative complications as no events were reported in either group. We are uncertain if in-bag morcellation improves total operative time or ease of morcellation compared to control. Regarding morcellation operative time, the quality of the evidence was also very low and we cannot be certain of the effect of in-bag morcellation compared to uncontained morcellation. No cases of postoperative diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma occurred in either group. We found only two trials comparing in-bag extracorporeal manual morcellation to intracorporeal uncontained power morcellation at the time of laparoscopic myomectomy. Both trials had morcellation operative time as primary outcome and were not powered for uncommon outcomes such as intraoperative complications, and postoperative diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. Large, well-planned and executed trials are needed.

Laparoscopic myomectomy using self-made retrieval bag to contain tissue extraction

OBJECTIVE

To introduce an effective approach using a self-made retrieval bag during laparoscopic myomectomy to contain tissue extraction.

DESIGN

Step-by-step video explanation of the surgical procedure with still pictures and surgical video clips to demonstrate the detailed technique, approved by the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

A 32-year-old woman diagnosed with a uterine myoma (diameter, 6 cm). She had endured 5 years of intermittent lower abdominal pain and 2 years of infertility.

INTERVENTION(S)

A self-made retrieval bag during laparoscopic myomectomy was used (consists of four steps) to contain tissue extraction. 1. Self-made retrieval bag using a sterile medical bag. 2. Inspect the pelvic cavity, evaluate and determine the location and number of myomas. 3. Resect the myoma. 4. Morcellate the myoma into pieces inside the retrieval bag using laparoscopic power morcellation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Value and feasibility of using a self-made retrieval bag in laparoscopic myomectomy.

RESULT(S)

The myoma was successfully and completely resected by laparoscopy using a self-made retrieval bag to contain tissue extraction. Operative time was 93 minutes. In the follow-up period, the patient did not report any symptom of iatrogenic parasitic myoma. The woman had a pregnancy at month 26 after operation and underwent a cesarean section. This resulted in a full-term baby.

CONCLUSION(S)

Our surgical approach demonstrated a number of noteworthy advantages. The use of retrieval bag to contain tissue extraction during laparoscopic morcellation can avoid the risk of iatrogenic parasitic myoma. The retrieval bag is self-made using a sterile packing bag, which is cost free and also reduces operative expenses.

Retrospective Study of Collection Methods in Laparoscopic Myomectomy

INTRODUCTION

After a FDA recommendation in April 2014, power morcellation (PM) in laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) has become less common. We now collect a myoma using manual morcellation (MM) from a wound in the umbilical region. In this study, we compared the PM and MM methods.

METHODS

The subjects were 69 patients who underwent LM from April 2013 to March 2016 using PM (n = 37) or MM (n = 32). With PM, the myoma was collected using a 4-hole 12-mm parallel trocar in the left lower abdomen. Using MM, an EZ ACCESS^TM (2-cm skin incision) was placed on the umbilical region, and the myoma was put in a collection purse and guided into the access hole for MM using scissors under direct vision.

RESULTS

None required allogeneic transfusion or a transition to open surgery, and had surgical or post surgical complications. At multiple linear regression analysis, which was adjusted by age, body mass index, and intraoperative blood loss, significant difference was not observed in operation time between the PM and MM groups.

CONCLUSION

Manual morcellation was found to be a safe method for collection of myoma that prevents scattering of tissues and does not prolong the operation time.

Pyomyoma After Uterine Artery Embolization: Laparotomy Avoided by In-Bag Morcellation

We report a case of a pyomyoma in which in-bag morcellation allowed for a total laparoscopic hysterectomy instead of laparotomy, which has been recognized as the standard of care to avoid the spread of infection from morcellation. A 45-year-old multiparous woman presented with sepsis, pelvic pain, and leukocytosis at 1 month after undergoing uterine artery embolization for symptomatic uterine leiomyoma. Pelvic computed tomography scan revealed a 9-cm suspected pyomyoma. A total hysterectomy was performed using a laparoscopic approach with in-bag morcellation. The intervention was successful, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1 and was well at 2 months after surgery.

Towards spill-free in-bag morcellation: a health failure mode and effects analysis

BACKGROUND

To assess potential risks of new surgical procedures and devices before their introduction into daily practice, a prospective risk inventory (PRI) is a required step. This study assesses the applicability of the Health Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (HFMEA) as part of a PRI of new technology in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

METHODS

A reference case was defined of a patient with presumed benign leiomyoma undergoing a laparoscopic hysterectomy or myomectomy including in-bag power morcellation; however, pathology defined a stage I uterine leiomyosarcoma. Using in-bag morcellation as a template, a HFMEA was performed. All steps of the in-bag morcellation technique were identified. Next, the possible hazards of these steps were explored and possible measures to control these hazards were discussed.

RESULTS

Five main steps of the morcellation process were identified. For retrieval bags without openings to accommodate instruments inside the bag, 120 risks were identified. Of these risks, 67 should be eliminated. For containment bags with openings 131 risks were identified of which 68 should be eliminated. Of the 10 causes most at risk to cause spillage, two can be eliminated by using appropriate bag materials. Myomectomy appears to be more at risk for residual tissue spillage compared to total hysterectomy.

CONCLUSION

The HFMEA has provided important new insights regarding potential weaknesses of the in-bag morcellation technique, particularly with respect to hazardous steps in the morcellation process as well as requirements that bags should meet. As such, this study has shown HFMEA to be a valuable method that identifies and quantifies potential hazards of new technology.

Laparoscopic Dissection of Extensive Secondary Disseminated Peritoneal Leiomyomatosis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate a minimal invasive surgical (MIS) technique for curative excision of extensive secondary disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL).

DESIGN

The Institutional Review Board of Human Investigation and Ethics Committee of Chang Gung Medical Foundation ruled that approval was not required for this study.

PATIENT

Woman aged 46 years.

INTERVENTIONS, MEASUREMENTS, AND MAIN RESULTS

In MIS the myoma has to be divided into small fragments for piecemeal retrieval through a small incision [1] with a widely used technique called morcellation (confined or unconfined) [2]. DPL is a rare sequellae after laparoscopic morcellation. Because this entity is rarely reported, this video demonstrates laparoscopic technique for safe removal of DPL post laparoscopic myomectomy and morcellation. A 46-year-old woman with a past history of laparoscopic myomectomy with specimen retrieval by a power morcellation 8 years ago presented with abdominal discomfort. Computed tomography revealed multiple iso-dense lesions in the uterine corpus and pelvic cavity. Upon laparoscopy multiple nodules were identified at the previous myomectomy scar, pelvic peritoneum, ovarian surface, and over the small bowel. A total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy along with excision of all visible lesions was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

In this video we demonstrate a safe retroperitoneal approach for complete excision of DPL. Laparoscopic hysterectomy or myomectomy with unconfined morcellation appears to be associated with the risk of DPL [3]. Complete tissue fragment retrieval will minimize the sequelae of morcellation. Hence, myoma remnants should be carefully extracted and confined morcellation should be considered. Because DPL causes significant distortion of pelvic anatomy, thorough knowledge of pelvic surgical anatomy and retroperitoneal approach for complete excision of all lesions is recommended.

Three-dimensional transvaginal sonographic assessment of uterine volume as preoperative predictor of need to morcellate in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

In light of recent statements from the United States Food and Drug Administration warning against the use of power morcellation of uterine leiomyomas during laparoscopy, we sought to evaluate the use of preoperative two- (2D) and three- (3D) dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (US) assessment of uterine volume to predict the need for morcellation in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH).

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study performed between October 2008 and November 2011 in a tertiary referral laparoscopic unit. All women scheduled to undergo LH were included and underwent detailed preoperative transvaginal US. Uterine volumes were calculated using 2D-US measurements (ellipsoid formula), and using Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL™) having acquired 3D-US volumes of the uterus. Age, parity, need to morcellate and final uterine dry weight at histology were recorded. The estimated uterine volumes were then incorporated into a previously published logistic regression model to predict the need to morcellate for both nulliparous and parous women. The probability threshold cut-off of 0.14 (95% sensitivity) was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratios (LRs). The performance of the models incorporating 2D- and 3D-US calculations were compared with 2D- and 3D-US-generated volumes alone, using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

Of 76 women who underwent LH during the study period, 79% (n = 60) had complete background and 3D-US data. Their mean age was 43.7 years, 91.7% were parous and 35% underwent morcellation. The greatest uterine volume that did not require morcellation was 404 mL estimated using 3D-US, which corresponded to a uterine volume of 688.8 mL using 2D-US. The smallest uterine volume that required morcellation was 118.9 mL using 3D-US, which corresponded to a uterine volume of 123.4 mL using 2D-US. The 3D-US uterine volume for parous women with a sensitivity of 95% based on ROC-curve analysis was approximately 120 mL, which equated to a predicted probability of morcellation cut-off of 0.14. For this cut-off, specificity was 55.00%, PPV was 51.35%, NPV was 95.65%, LR+ was 2.11 and LR- was 0.09. Areas under the ROC curves for the morcellation logistic regression model were 0.769 (95% CI, 0.653-0.886) and 0.586 (95% CI, 0.419-0.753) using uterine volumes obtained by 3D-US and by 2D-US, respectively, and they were 0.938 (95% CI, 0.879-0.996) and 0.815 (95% CI, 0.681-0.948) using 3D-US and 2D-US volumes alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The need to morcellate can be predicted preoperatively using 3D-US uterine volumes obtained by transvaginal US with a fair degree of accuracy. Uteri with volumes smaller than 120 mL at 3D-US are very unlikely to require morcellation. The incorporation of 3D-US-estimated uterine volume into the previously published logistic regression model does not seem to confer any significant improvement when compared with 3D-US uterine volume alone to predict the need to morcellate in women undergoing total LH. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Combining situ-morcellation with continuous-fill-mattress suture in laparoscopic myomectomy: A surgical approach of choice for patients with large uterine fibroids

BACKGROUND

To investigate the efficacy and advantage of combining situ-morcellation with continuous-fill-mattress suture compared with conventional morcellation and suture in laparoscopic myomectomy.

METHODS

One hundred sixteen patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy from March 2014 to October 2016.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were divided into combining situ-morcellation with continuous-fill-mattress suture group (n = 62) and conventional group (n = 54), and subsequent statistical analysis the clinical data of the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The combining situ-morcellation with continuous-fill-mattress suture group shows significantly decrease of surgery time, incision size, blood loss, postoperative drainage volume and time, postoperative vent time, hospital stay and the loss of hemoglobin value. Moreover, there is significant significance between the 2 groups in the surgery time (P = .018), the postoperative drainage volume (P = .000), and the loss of hemoglobin value (P = .000).

CONCLUSIONS

The combining situ-morcellation with continuous-fill-mattress suture shows significant advantages in shortening surgery time and reducing blood loss compared with conventional group in laparoscopic myomectomy.

Should We Abandon the Gynecologic Resectoscope in Favor of Hysteroscopic Morcellators?

The treatment of intrauterine masses, such as endometrial polyps and leiomyomas, has undergone a technological revolution in the past few decades. Gynecologists may now choose from a variety of unipolar and bipolar resectoscopes as well as an assortment of both mechanical and bipolar hysteroscopic morcellators. We present a comparison of these technologies to better practitioners understanding of the strengths and limitations of these devices.

Uterine Morcellation: Fact and Fiction Surrounding the Recent Controversy

Minimally invasive surgery is commonly used for hysterectomies because of its many benefits over open surgery. Although small uteri can be removed whole in this approach, larger specimens must be morcellated. Power morcellation has come under scrutiny recently because of concerns that it can disseminate occult uterine sarcoma, other undiagnosed malignancies, and benign tissue. To limit uterine tissue dissemination, morcellation can be contained within a bag. In addition, a careful preoperative workup should be performed to minimize the risk of occult malignancy. New techniques that allow surgeons to offer more women a minimally invasive approach should be investigated and encouraged.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Control by Sequential Application of Hysteroscopic Lesion Morcellation and Endometrial Ablation

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of combined hysteroscopic morcellation/endometrial ablation for treating abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series from 5 U.S. gynecology clinics. Women with intrauterine polyps and/or type-0 myomas and transformed Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-Related Quality-of-Life (UFS-HRQoL) symptom severity score ≥47 points (100 possible) underwent hysteroscopic morcellation (MyoSure) of intrauterine pathologies before endometrial radiofrequency ablation (NovaSure). Outcome measures were amenorrhea rate, UFS-HRQoL scoring, AUB retreatment/reintervention, bleeding days, and perioperative adverse events, through 12 months.

RESULTS

Of 26 enrolled women, 24 were available through study completion. Lesions were 27% myomas and 73% polyps. Procedure room time was 19±13 minutes. Complete lesion eradication occurred in 96% of women. At 12 months, amenorrhea prevalence was 46% (p<0.0001 vs. baseline), and 87% of women reported either no bleeding or normalized bleeding. Bleeding/spotting days decreased from 15.7±7.4 to 3.1±4.2 days/month (p<0.0001), symptom severity decreased from 75±13 to 12±18 points (p<0.0001), and QoL scores increased from 29±18 to 88±23 points (p<0.0001). Three women required additional AUB intervention. Perioperative adverse events were minor nausea (n=1) and abdominopelvic cramping (n=2) without sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Sequential hysteroscopic morcellation and endometrial radiofrequency ablation of intrauterine lesions in women with AUB increases amenorrhea rate, alleviates bleeding symptoms, and improves quality of life, with an acceptable safety profile.

Power Morcellation Using a Contained Bag System

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The well-known advantages of minimally invasive surgery make the approach well suited for hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures. The removal of specimens excised during surgery has been a challenge that has been answered by the use of power morcellation. With this study we sought to assess the feasibility of power morcellation within a specimen bag.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study including patients from a private practice in suburban Chicago, Illinois, who underwent contained electromechanical power morcellation during a laparoscopic or robot-assisted hysterectomy or myomectomy from May 2014 through December 2015. Contained power morcellation was performed with the Espiner EcoSac 230 (Espiner Medical Ltd., North Somerset, United Kingdom) specimen bag. Descriptive statistics were performed for both categorical and continuous data.

RESULTS

Of the 187 procedures performed, 73.8% were myomectomies, and 26.2% were hysterectomies. The patients' mean age was 40 (range, 25-54) years and mean body mass index was 28.7 (range, 17.3-57.6). The average specimen weight was 300 g, with the largest weighing 2134 g. Estimated blood loss averaged 98.4 mL. The postoperative admission rate was 12.3%, most of which were due to nausea and urinary retention. Seventeen patients (9.1%) had postoperative complications, most of which were minor, and 4 (2.1%) were readmitted. There were no bag failures or complications that were due to the use of the specimen bag or to power morcellation.

CONCLUSIONS

Performing electromechanical power morcellation within the Espiner EcoSac 230 specimen bag was successfully performed in 187 patients with no bag-related complications. This method of contained power morcellation is feasible, reliable, and reproducible, even for a large specimen.

Compliance and complications of culdotomy

BACKGROUND

Culdotomy is a practically exclusive appanage of gynaecological surgeons. Today the transvaginal access to pelvis and abdominal cavity is also utilized for non-gynecological surgery.

METHODS

The authors report the complications and compliance of 326 culdotomies performed in the Simple Maternity Unit of Asiago Hospital (Asiago, Vicenza, Italy). The casuistry includes 18 adnexetomies, 90 ovarian cysts and fibroids enucleations and/or resections, 23 paraovarian cysts removals, 59 myomectomies, 120 sterilizations, 11 salpingectomies, 1 adesiolysis, 2 ovarian biopsies and 1 abscess drainage.

RESULTS

Couldtomy showed to be a procedure with good results in terms of 18 grade 1 and 1 grade IV (5.8%) of Clavien-Dindo grading system for classification of surgical complications, the incidence of conversions in laparotomies, laparoscopies and vaginal hysterectomy (3.1%), the average hospital postoperatory admission (25 hours), low cost of culdotomy compared to laparotomic and laparoscopic surgery; absence of dispareunia and/or other discomforts at long term.

CONCLUSIONS

Culdotomy is a simple, proper and alternative route, especially when morcellation is unavoidable.

Laparoscopic power morcellation of presumed fibroids

Uterine leiomyoma is a highly prevalent benign gynecologic neoplasm that affects women of reproductive age. Surgical procedures commonly employed to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids include myomectomy or total or sub-total hysterectomy. These procedures, when performed using minimally invasive techniques, reduce the risks of intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality; however, in order to remove bulky lesions from the abdominal cavity through laparoscopic ports, a laparoscopic power morcellator must be used, a device with rapidly spinning blades to cut the uterine tissue into fragments so that it can be removed through a small incision. Although the minimal invasive approach in gynecological surgery has been firmly established now in terms of recovery and quality of life, morcellation is associated with rare but sometimes serious adverse events. Parts of the morcellated specimen may be spread into the abdominal cavity and enable implantation of cells on the peritoneum. In case of unexpected sarcoma the dissemination may upstage disease and affect survival. Myoma cells may give rise to 'parasitic' fibroids, but also implantation of adenomyotic cells and endometriosis has been reported. Finally the morcellation device may cause inadvertent injury to internal structures, such as bowel and vessels, with its rotating circular knife. In this article it is described how to estimate the risk of sarcoma in a presumed fibroid based on epidemiologic, imaging and laboratory data. Furthermore the first literature results of the in-bag morcellation are reviewed. With this procedure the specimen is contained in an insufflated sterile bag while being morcellated, potentially preventing spillage of tissue but also making direct morcellation injuries unlikely to happen.

Extracorporeal Manual Morcellation of Very Large Uteri Within an Enclosed Endoscopic Bag: Our 5-Year Experience

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To describe a technique to manually morcellate large uteri within a polyurethane endoscopic bag at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy, and report perioperative outcomes from our 5 years of experience.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review of all consecutive hysterectomies with uterine weight >500 g performed between January 2010 and December 2014 in which the uterus was manually morcellated within an endoscopic bag by either an abdominal or vaginal approach (Canadian Task Force Classification Level III).

SETTING

Tertiary care academic medical center.

PATIENTS

A total of 104 women with a uterine weight >500 g who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy using a manual morcellation technique.

INTERVENTION

Manual morcellation was done extracorporeally, within a partially exteriorized specimen bag, using a scalpel under direct visualization by the operating surgeon.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 104 laparoscopic hysterectomies were performed in women with a uterus weighing >500 g using a manual morcellation technique for specimen extraction. The median patient age was 48.1 years (range, 34-69 years), and the median body mass index was 31.0 kg/m(2) (range, 19.1-56.7 kg/m(2)). The median blood loss and specimen weight were 200 mL (range, 20-1200 mL) and 741.5 g (range, 500-1930 g), respectively. Morcellation was performed through an abdominal approach in 58.7% of the patients and through a vaginal approach in 41.3%. The median duration of morcellation was 14.8 minutes (range, 4.5-21.6 minutes) for the abdominal route and 11.7 minutes (range, 5.2-16.8 minutes) for the vaginal route. Occult malignancy was identified in 2 patients. There were no complications related to the morcellation technique or gross bag rupture.

CONCLUSION

Manual morcellation within an endoscopic bag allows for the extraction of large uteri without the use of a power morcellator. In our 5 years of experience, we have not experienced any incidence of gross spillage, visually noted bag rupture, or complications associated with our morcellation technique.