Feasibility, safety and efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a preoperative treatment for challenging hysteroscopic myomectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound ablation (HIFU) as a preoperative treatment for challenging hysteroscopic myomectomies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 patients diagnosed with types 0-III of uterine fibroids were enrolled. Based on the Size, Topography, Extension of the base, Penetration and lateral Wall position (STEPW) classification scoring system, 25 cases with a score ≥ 5 points were treated with HIFU followed by hysteroscopic myomectomy (HIFU + HM group), whereas 50 cases with a score < 5 points were treated with hysteroscopic myomectomy (HM group). RESULTS: The median preoperative STEPW score was 7 in the HIFU + HM group and 2 in the HM group. The average non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio achieved in fibroids after HIFU was 86.87%. Patients in the HIFU + HM group underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy one to four days after HIFU, and downgrading was observed in 81.81% of fibroids. The operation time for patients in the HIFU + HM group was 73 min and the success rate of myomectomy in a single attempt was 60%. The volume of distention medium used during the operation was greater in the HIFU + HM group than in the HM group (15,500 ml vs. 7500 ml). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, menstrual volume score, or uterine fibroid quality of life score. CONCLUSION: HIFU can be utilized as a preoperative treatment for large submucosal fibroids prior to hysteroscopic myomectomy. HIFU offers a novel approach in the management of this subset of patients.

Evaluation of the timing and safety of hysteroscopic myomectomy of large submucosal fibroids pretreated by high intensity focused ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the timing and safety of hysteroscopic myomectomy for large submucosal fibroids pretreated with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2011 to December 2020, 74 patients with solitary submucousal fibroid with size larger than 4 cm who received HIFU treatment followed by hysteroscopic myomectomy were enrolled. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 40.2 ± 6.7 years. Among them, 1 had type 0, 18 had type I and 55 patients had type II submucosal fibroids. The mean diameter of fibroids was 5.7 ± 1.2 cm. All patients completed HIFU in one session, and the median non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio achieved in fibroids was 90.5%. Hysteroscopic myomectomy was performed in 0-1, 1-3, 3-6, and 6-12 months after HIFU. The mean shrinkage rate of fibroids post-HIFU was 68.19 ± 19.86%, 61.10 ± 16.89%, and 63.76 ± 26.68% in 1-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-12 months, respectively. All patients completed hysteroscopic myomectomy successfully, and no intrauterine adhesion after HIFU was observed. The complete resection of fibroids achieved in 69 patients in one session of the procedure. The mean operation time was 66.66 ± 31.61 min, the median blood loss was 20 ml, and the median distention medium deficit was 275 ml. No significant difference was observed in the operation time, blood loss and distention medium deficit among patients who received hysteroscopic myomectomy at different time points (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HIFU can be used as a pretreatment for large submucosal fibroids before hysteroscopic myomectomy. Based on our results, hysteroscopic myomectomy could be performed at any time point, even within 1 month after HIFU.

"Evolution" of intravascular leiomyomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare and specific type of smooth muscle tumor that is histologically benign but has a malignant biological behavior. It is commonly associated with a history of uterine leiomyomas. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old woman, G1P1, presented to the hospital with left lower abdominal pain for 2 months and she has accepted hysteroscopic myomectomy about 1 year ago. Ultrasound venography, echocardiography and computed tomography venography (CTV) of inferior vena cava were performed, which revealed IVL located in left intramural myometrium walls growing along the left ovarian vein reaching the level of the lumbar 5-sacral 1 disc. Laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomyis were scheduled. The IVL in the left ovarian vein and parauterine venous plexus were detected and excised completely during surgery. IVL was diagnosed by postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry. The patient recovered well after surgery. No surgical-related or anesthesia-related complications occurred.The 3-month follow-up CTV of inferior vena cava and echocardiography examination revealed normal. CONCLUSIONS: The cause of IVL is unknown, this observation demonstrates that hysteroscopic myomectomy might lead to the occurrence of IVL.

Effectiveness of a hysteroscopic tissue removal system device for hysteroscopic myomectomy on patients' quality of life: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of life in patients treated for submucosal leiomyomas after hysteroscopic myomectomy compared to medical therapy. This is the first prospective randomized analysis comparing outcomes of medical therapy versus hysteroscopic myomectomy using the TruClear™ hysteroscopic tissue removal system to treat heavy menstrual bleeding from submucosal leiomyoma(s). METHODS: Setting: private practice and community-based hospital; subjects: female patients with symptomatic submucosal leiomyomas from 2014 to 2017. A total of 69 patients enrolled, with 47 completed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: randomization, linear mixed-effects modeling, hypothesis testing, and intent-to-treat analysis. Each patient was randomized to oral contraceptive pills/progesterone releasing intrauterine device or hysteroscopic myomectomy. Each patient was to complete the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-related Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire at baseline, one month, three months, and greater than or equal to six months after treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURED: Primary outcome was the health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), as reflected from UFS-QOL scores. Contrasts were constructed from a linear mixed-effects model to compare the two treatment groups for changes from baseline in UFS-QOL scores. RESULTS: UFS-QOL scores were similar at baseline between the two treatment groups. There was an overall improvement in all UFS-QOL scores within each group. Higher improvement scores were noted in the surgical group compared to the medical group for almost all UFS-QOL scores. At ≥ 6 months, in comparison to the medically managed patients, the most considerable score improvements for the surgical group were reported in HR-QOL concern, activities, self-consciousness and symptom severity scores having mean change scores (95% CIs) of 35.3, 28.9, 28.6, and 32.2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although there was no statistical difference in the change degree of improvement of overall quality of life among patients with symptomatic submucosal leiomyomas who received medical or surgical treatments in the study, there were greater differences in improvements in health-related quality of life scores over time after surgical treatment.

Intrauterine adhesion after hysteroscopic myomectomy of submucous myomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of intrauterine adhesion (IUA) after hysteroscopic myomectomy, and to analyze the association of IUA and the location of submucous myomas and the use of postoperative barrier (POB). METHODS: Hysteroscopic myomectomy was performed in 217 patients with submucous myomas. The retrospective investigation was performed, and the cases were divided into three groups: cases with solitary submucous myoma (SSM; group 1), cases with apposing submucous myomas (ASMs; group 2) and cases with submucous myomas that were far from each other or not in apposition to one another (not apposing submucous myomas: NASMs; group 3). As POB, intrauterine device with oxidized regenerated cellulose and silicon sheet was inserted immediately after surgery. RESULTS: IUA formation after hysteroscopic myomectomy was more frequent in group 2 than groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively), despite the higher rates of POB use (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in IUA formation in cases with POB between each group (p = 0.06 and 0.21, respectively). But in cases without POB, group 2 showed higher rates of IUA formation than group 1 (p = 0.04) and group 3 (p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis for IUA formation demonstrated that ASMs were a risk factor of IUA (hazard ratio [HR] = 27.9, p < 0.01), and the use of POB was a prognostic factor for reduction of IUA formation (HR = 0.08, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ASMs appear to be a risk factor for IUA formation. The use of POB may be associated with preventing IUA formation after hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Postsurgical Intrauterine Adhesions after Hysteroscopic Myomectomy Using the Myoma Pseudocapsule Preservation Technique Evaluated bv Second-look Hysteroscopy: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency and risk factors of postsurgical intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) using second-look hysteroscopy (SLH) in patients undergoing hysteroscopic myomectomy performed using the myoma pseudocapsule preservation technique for submucosal myoma. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University hospital from January 2017 to December 2019. PATIENTS: A total of 124 patients underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy and SLH. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, number of enucleated myomas, volume of specimen, and postsurgical IUA evaluated by SLH. Postsurgical IUA were found in 5 of 124 cases (4.0%) at SLH. There were no cases of IUA formation in cases in which a single myomas was resected (0 of 83 cases, 0%); all cases were multiple myomas (5 of 41 cases, 12.2%), and IUA significantly occurred more frequently in cases of multiple myoma (p = .003). Univariate analyses showed that the IUA group contained a significantly larger number of enucleated uterine myoma (p <.001), required a longer operation (p = .003), and displayed an increased volume of intraoperative bleeding (p = .007), and the heavier the specimen, the greater the number of patients that had inserted an intrauterine device than the group that did not display postsurgical IUA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of the risk factors of postsurgical IUA showed that the number of enucleated myomas was strongly associated with IUA (odds ratio, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.97). CONCLUSION: The frequency of postsurgical IUA after hysteroscopic myomectomy was high in cases of multiple myoma and may be a risk factor. SLH should be actively pursued in cases where the patient desires to bear children, and an informed consent should be attained before performing surgery.

Observation of pregnancy outcomes in patients with hysteroscopic resection on submucous myomas.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess postoperative pregnancy outcomes in patients with different types of submucous myomas after hysteroscopic resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective unicentric study used data from the electronic medical records system of the hospital. All patients (n = 77) who underwent hysteroscopy for submucous myomas between November 2010 and December 2018 were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to the myoma classification (G0, G1, and G2). Medical files were reviewed and phone questionnaires were conducted to evaluate demographic characteristics, clinical features, surgical treatment, and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 32 (30.0, 34.0) years. The myoma diameter was 2.9 (2.0, 3.8) cm. The operation duration was 50.0 (30.0, 75.0) min. There were 15 patients in Group G0, 20 patients in Group G1, and 37 patients in Group G2. Follow-up data were available for 65 of the 77 patients. The total pregnancy rate was 58 (89.2%) of 65. The live birth rate was 41 (70.7%) of 58. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate (G0 100% vs. G1 76.5% vs. G2 91.2%; p = 0.097) or in live birth rates among the three groups (G0 78.6% vs. G1 53.8% vs. G2 74.2%; p = 0.325). CONCLUSION: There was no difference in pregnancy outcome among the three types of submucosal myomas. Our results support the idea that hysteroscopic myomectomy is an effective option for submucous myomas with good long-term pregnancy outcomes.

HYSTEROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY.

Leiomyomas are the most common pelvic tumors. Submucosal fibroids are a common cause of abnormal bleeding and infertility. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the definitive management of symptomatic submucosal fibroids, with high efficacy and safety. Several techniques have been introduced over time and will be covered in depth in this manuscript. Advances in optics, fluid management, electrosurgery, smaller diameter scopes, and tissue removal systems, along with improved training have contributed to improving the safety and efficiency of hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation and hysteroscopic myomectomy for submucosal fibroids: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety, reintervention and pregnancy outcomes between ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (USgHIFU) and hysteroscopic myomectomy (HM) for submucosal fibroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 215 patients with a solitary submucosal fibroid treated by USgHIFU or HM at the third Xiangya Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 58 treated with USgHIFU, 157 treated with HM. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in size, location and type of the fibroids, effective rate, and cumulative reintervention rate between the two groups (p < .05). The size of the fibroids was 57.9 ± 1.9 mm in the USgHIFU group, while it was 32.6 ± 1.2 mm in the HM group. The number of the fibroids at horn or fundus/uterine cavity was 16/42 in the USgHIFU group, while it was 21/136 in the HM group. The number of type I/II/2-5 was 16/17/25 in the USgHIFU group, while it was 133/24/0 in the HM group. In the USgHIFU group, the effective rate was 100% and the cumulative reintervention rate at 50 (17-97) months was 19.0%, while in the HM group, it was 94.3% and 7.6%, respectively. During the follow-up period, the pregnancy rate was 22.4% (13/58) and the reintervention rate due to invalid and recurrence was 15.5% (9/58) in the USgHIFU group, while they were 18.5% (29/157) and 7.0% (11/157) in the HM group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (p > .05). Furthermore, the reintervention rate was positively correlated with age, treatment methods and parity and fertility requirements. No other significant difference was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both USgHIFU and HM are safe and effective in treating submucosal fibroids. Compared with the HM group, the USgHIFU group had lower postoperative complications, but higher reintervention rate, with similar recurrence rate, pregnancy rate and reintervention rate due to invalid and recurrence. Reintervention was related to age, treatment methods, parity and fertility requirements.

Life-threatening acute water intoxication in a woman undergoing hysteroscopic myomectomy: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Acute water intoxication after hysteroscopy is a rare, life-threatening condition, often accompanied with delayed diagnosis owing to masked symptoms because of general anesthesia. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein we presented a 39-year-old female who presented with cardiac arrest after hysteroscopic myomectomy because of acute water intoxication and survived after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous venous-venous hemofiltration, and aggressive high sodium fluid resuscitation. CONCLUSION: Failure to recognize and treat this condition appropriately may lead to potentially lethal cardiopulmonary complications.

High-intensity Focused Ultrasound for Treatment of Type 2 Submucous Myomas More Than 4 Centimeters in Diameter Prior to Hysteroscopic Myomectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of treating type 2 submucous myomas more than 4 cm in diameter with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) prior to hysteroscopic myomectomy (HM). DESIGN: Retrospective case series evaluating HIFU treatment of type 2 submucous myomas before HM, with efficacy compared with baseline (i.e., before treatment). SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Five women with type 2 submucous myomas more than 4 cm in diameter (mean, 5.6 cm; range, 4.7-6.3 cm). The mean age of the patients was 40.6 years (31-47 yr); median age 42 years. INTERVENTIONS: Type 2 submucous myomas were treated with HIFU. HM was performed in one step. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The time between HIFU and HM was 136 days. The mean volumes of the corpora and myomas were significantly less after HIFU. The mean shrinkage of the corpora and myomas (volume before HIFU/volume before HM × 100%) were 41.4 ± 18.1% and 67.6 ± 17.0%, respectively, which did not differ statistically. All 5 of the submucous myomas changed from type 2 to type 1 or type 0 after HIFU treatment. The percentage of the uterine cavity occupied by the myoma at baseline and after HIFU was 38.8% ± 2.8% and 78.0 ± 21.4%, respectively, a significant increase associated with HIFU. The hemoglobin increased with HIFU, significantly with an elevated value of 11.0 ± 7.5. CONCLUSION: Treatment of type 2 submucous myomas more than 4 cm in diameter with HIFU before HM was effective, with reductions in myoma type (from 2 to 1 or 0) and shrinkage of myoma size. HIFU as a pretreatment should increase the safety of HM.

Intrauterine Instillation of Tranexamic Acid in Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Randomized Clinical Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hemostatic effect of intrauterine instillation of tranexamic acid (TXA) with the distention medium during hysteroscopic myomectomy. DESIGN: Prospective, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. SETTING: Early Cancer Detection Unit in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. PATIENTS: Eighty women with type 0 or I submucous myoma undergoing hysteroscopic myomectomy using unipolar resectoscope. INTERVENTIONS: The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1 g of TXA for every 1000 mL of the distending medium (intervention group) or 10 mL of placebo (10 mL of 1.5% glycine) in the same form inside every 1000 mL of the distention medium. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was a change in hemoglobin level 24 hours after surgery compared with preoperative values, and the secondary outcomes were the surgeon's rating of intraoperative bleeding and the quality of operative view, the duration of surgery, the volume of injected media, intraoperative complications, and the completion of myomectomy in 1 procedure. The mean difference in hemoglobin level was 1.11 ±.58 g/dL in the TXA group and 1.46 ± 0.61 g/dL in the placebo group (p = .015). The quality of hysteroscopic view was better in the TXA group (p = .001), with good operative view in 23 (60.5%) cases in TXA vs 8 (20.5%) in the placebo group. The surgeon's rating of bleeding as excessive was reported in 1 (2.6%) case in the TXA group and in 9 (23.1%) cases in the placebo group. There was no difference between the groups regarding the duration of surgery, the volume of injected media, completion of myoma resection in 1 session, and intraoperative complications. Three cases of uterine perforation with the thermal loop were reported, and all were associated with poor operative field in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine instillation of TXA with the distention medium during hysteroscopic myomectomy resulted in a statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin level 24 hours after surgery, albeit with minimal clinical significance. TXA resulted in better visualization of the field throughout the procedure.

Preoperative Treatment with Ulipristal Acetate before Outpatient Hysteroscopic Myomectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, the resection of submucosal myomas is usually performed by hysteroscopy. No previous study has investigated the use of preoperative hormonal therapy before outpatient hysteroscopic myomectomy. OBJECTIVE: To compare the usefulness of 3-month preoperative treatment with ulipristal acetate (UPA) before outpatient hysteroscopic myomectomy in patients with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) type 0-1 myomas. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective patient preference study included women requiring hysteroscopic resection of single FIGO type 0-1 myoma with the largest diameter <2 cm. Patients underwent either preoperative treatment with UPA (5 mg/day) for 3 months or direct surgery. Outpatient myomectomy was performed using the bipolar electrosurgical Versapoint system (Ethicon Gynecare, USA). The primary objective of the study was to compare the rate of complete resections in the 2 study groups. The secondary objective of the study was to compare the operative time and the volume of fluid infused/absorbed. The tertiary objective of the study was to assess the surgical appearance of the myomas in patients treated with UPA. RESULTS: The study included 38 women treated with UPA and 45 women who underwent direct surgery. UPA treatment significantly decreased the volume of uterine myomas (p < 0.001). The percentage of complete resection was higher in patients treated with UPA (89.5%) than in those who underwent direct surgery (68.9%; p = 0.046). Preoperative UPA treatment decreased the operative time (p < 0.001) and the volume of fluid infused (p = 0.016), but it did not significantly affect the volume of fluid absorbed (p = 0.874). The texture of the myoma was not significantly affected by UPA treatment (p = 0.142). CONCLUSIONS: Three-month UPA treatment improves the chance of single-step complete outpatient hysteroscopic resection of single FIGO type 0-1 myoma. Future randomized studies with a larger sample size should confirm these preliminary findings.

The (cost) effectiveness of procedural sedation and analgesia versus general anaesthesia for hysteroscopic myomectomy, a multicentre randomised controlled trial: PROSECCO trial, a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: In women with abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids are a frequent finding. In case of heavy menstrual bleeding and presence of submucosal type 0-1 fibroids, hysteroscopic resection is the treatment of first choice, as removal of these fibroids is highly effective. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is currently usually performed in the operating theatre. A considerable reduction in costs and a higher patient satisfaction are expected when procedural sedation and analgesia with propofol (PSA) in an outpatient setting is applied. However, both safety and effectiveness - including the necessity for re-intervention due to incomplete resection - have not yet been evaluated. METHODS: This study is a multicentre randomised controlled trial with a non-inferiority design and will be performed in the Netherlands. Women > 18 years with a maximum of 3 symptomatic type 0 or 1 submucosal fibroids with a maximum diameter of 3.5 cm are eligible to participate in the trial. After informed consent, 205 women will be randomised to either hysteroscopic myomectomy using procedural sedation and analgesia with propofol in an outpatient setting or hysteroscopic myomectomy using general anaesthesia in a clinical setting in the operating theatre. Primary outcome will be the percentage of complete resections, based on transvaginal ultrasonography 6 weeks postoperatively. Secondary outcomes are cost effectiveness, menstrual blood loss (Pictorial blood assessment chart), quality of life, pain, return to daily activities/work, hospitalization, (post) operative complications and re-interventions. Women will be followed up to one year after hysteroscopic myomectomy. DISCUSSION: This study may demonstrate comparable effectiveness of hysteroscopic myomectomy under procedural sedation and analgesia versus general anaesthesia in a safe and patient friendly environment, whilst achieving a significant cost reduction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch trial register, number NTR5357 . Registered 11th of August 2015.

Successful Pregnancies in Women with Diffuse Uterine Leiomyomatosis after Hysteroscopic Management Using the Hysteroscopy Endo Operative System.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and reproductive outcome of hysteroscopic management using the Hysteroscopy Endo Operative system (HEOS) in patients with diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis (DUL). DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. PATIENTS: Eight women of reproductive age suffering from menorrhagia and anemia or infertility diagnosed with DUL by ultrasonography and hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic surgery using cold graspers combined with electric loop by the HEOS was performed to excise submucous myomas (including types 0, I, and II), leaving other intramural myomas in place. The fenestration method is used in electrical hysteroscopic myomectomy. Postoperative endometrial repair and synechiae, menstrual improvement, conception, and pregnancy were recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two patients underwent a single hysteroscopic myomectomy, whereas 6 patients underwent 2 to 3 myomectomies. No complications were observed. The mean follow-up period was 39.13 ± 17.01 months (range, 21-67). The endometrium recovered 2 to 3 months after the initial surgery, and 100% improvement in menstruation was observed. Two patients had mild synechia after the first hysteroscopic surgery. Seven patients conceived spontaneously (postoperative pregnancy rate, 87.5%), 6 of whom had a full-term pregnancy. One patient suffered a miscarriage in the second trimester (live birth rate, 75%). CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic surgery using cold graspers combined with electric loop by the HEOS is a feasible and effective for treatment of DUL because it preserves the uterus and yields favorable reproductive outcomes. The cold surgery and fenestration method minimizes electrical and thermal damage to the endometrium surrounding the myoma, consequently reducing surgical risks.

Intraoperative Effect of Preoperative Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue Administration in Women Undergoing Cold Loop Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraoperative effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue pretreatment in patients undergoing cold loop hysteroscopic myomectomy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Arbor Vitae Center for Endoscopic Gynecology, Rome, Italy. PATIENTS: A total of 99 patients were randomized and subsequently allocated to the GnRH analogue group or to the nonpharmacologic treatment control group. Fifteen patients were lost after allocation, and 42 patients per group underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Cold loop hysteroscopic myomectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The control group accomplished the treatment in a 1-step procedure more frequently than the GnRH analogue group (92.85% and 73.8% of cases, respectively; p = .040). The completion of the treatment was more unlikely in case of G2 myomas (p = .006), whereas no differences were recorded for G1 and G0 myomas. The multivariate analysis showed a significant correlation between the multiple-step treatment and the use of GnRH analogue (odds ratio, 5.365; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.018-28.284; p = .048), grading (odds ratio, 4.503; 95% CI, 1.049-19.329; p = .043), and size of myomas (odds ratio, 1.128; 95% CI, 1.026-1.239; p = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative GnRH analogue administration did not facilitate the completion of cold loop hysteroscopic myomectomy in a single surgical procedure in G2 myomas and was correlated with a longer duration of the surgery. No significant benefits were found for G0 and G1 myomas. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01873378.).

Venous Air Embolism during Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: An Analysis of 7 Cases.

Venous air embolism (VAE) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of hysteroscopic myomectomy. The symptoms of VAE range from mild and clinically insignificant to complete cardiovascular collapse during surgery. Anesthesiologists and surgeons should be aware of the clinical characteristics and predisposing factors of this possible adverse event. This report analyzes 7 cases of VAE, which occurred at the University Hospitals Leuven, in patients undergoing hysteroscopic myomectomy from April 2009 to April 2011. Patient and myoma characteristics were compared to a control group of 27 patients who underwent uneventful hysteroscopic myomectomy during the same period of time. Analysis of baseline data including myoma size failed to identify predisposing factors. Clinical events in this series were classified according to their severity as minor (causing respiratory symptoms in 2 cases), moderate (accompanied by hemodynamic instability in 5 cases), or severe (requiring resuscitation in no cases). Case characteristics and therapeutic strategies in all cases were compared to reports from recent literature.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy.

A new International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification for myomas was recently described. Type 0, 1 and 2 are the submucosal fibroids. Submucous myomas represent one of the main indications for operative hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopic resection of submucous fibroids should be a simple, well-tolerated procedure and ideally finished in a single surgical step. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is an effective procedure. Fertility outcome and menorrhagia are improved by this procedure. However, for menorrhagia, a recurrence can occur mainly during the first year following the surgery. For bleeding outcome, a success rate from 70 to 99% has been reported by different studies. The success rate seems to decline as the follow- up period increases. For fertility outcome, submucosal fibroids have negative impact on pregnancy rates. The size of the fibroids plays a crucial role in completing the hysteroscopic myomectomy in a single step. A diameter greater than 3 cm in type 2 myomas results in a higher risk of a multiple procedure.

Hysteroscopic Myomectomy of FIGO Type 2 Leiomyomas Under Local Anesthesia: Bipolar Radiofrequency Needle-Based Release Followed By Electromechanical Morcellation.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a technique designed to expand the capabilities of hysteroscopic intrauterine morcellators to deep type 1 and type 2 lesions. The technique comprises "release" of the tumor using a bipolar radiofrequency needle, followed by dissection and extraction with an electromechanical morcellator, all under local anesthesia. DESIGN: Description of technique using images and video (Canadian Task Force classification Class III). SETTING: Office uterine procedure and imaging center; academic medical center. INTERVENTION: Following the administration of local anesthesia and access to the endometrial cavity with a 5.5-mm-o.d. hysteroscopic sheath with a 5 Fr operative channel, a 5 Fr bipolar needle electrode system is used to circumscribe the leiomyoma and enter the pseudocapsule, thereby "releasing" the lesion. Blunt dissection is performed as appropriate and then the system is switched to a hysteroscopic morcellating system (MyoSure; Hologic, Bedford, MA), which is then used to further dissect and remove the target lesion with electromechanical morcellation. CONCLUSION: The development of intrauterine morcellators has facilitated the performance of hysteroscopic myomectomy, especially under local anesthesia, but the side aperture-based design of the systems limits their use in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) type 1 and 2 tumors, particularly those located at the uterine fundus. This technique, based in part on a previously published technique of leiomyoma release, improves access of the electromechanical morcellator to leiomyomas that previously were inaccessible, and minimizes myometrial trauma by dissecting the tumor via the relatively avascular pseudocapsule.

Uterine Sarcomas in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Presumed Leiomyomas: 10 Years' Experience.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To find the incidence of sarcomas in patients undergoing surgery for presumed leiomyomas. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Paul's Hospital, Centre for Advanced Laparoscopy and Infertility, Kochi, India. PATIENTS: All women who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), laparoscopic myomectomy (LM), and hysteroscopic myomectomy (HM) at Paul's Hospital for presumed leiomyomas from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014 that were then diagnosed as sarcomas on histopathologic examination. INTERVENTIONS: TLH, LM, and HM. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 2678 patients underwent TLH, LM, and HM at Paul's Hospital for presumed leiomyomas from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014. Five patients were diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma and 3 patients as endometrial stromal sarcoma on histopathologic examination. Women's ages ranged from 12 to 53 years. Histopathologic diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma was made in 3 patients from the TLH group and 2 patients from the myomectomy group. Two patients from the TLH group and 1 patient from the myomectomy group were diagnosed as endometrial stromal sarcoma on histopathologic examination. The incidence of uterine sarcomas (leiomyosarcoma and endometrial stromal sarcoma) in patients undergoing surgery for presumed leiomyomas was found to be .29% (1 in 335 patients) in our study. CONCLUSION: Over a period of 10 years (2004-2014), the incidence of uterine sarcomas in patients undergoing surgery for presumed leiomyomas was found to be .29% in our study.