Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair for female patients with groin hernias.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) was recommended for female patients with groin hernias. Whereas, only a few studies focused on whether and how to preserve the round ligament of the uterus in TAPP. METHODS: Clinical data of 159 female patients with 181 groin hernias who underwent TAPP at a single institution in China from January 2016 to June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed and collected. RESULTS: All the patients underwent the operation smoothly without conversion. Division of the round ligament was performed for 33 hernias. Preservation of the round ligament was adopted for 148 hernias, 51 with the "keyhole" technique, 86 with the "longitudinal incision of peritoneum" method, and 11 with total dissection of the round ligament. The mean operative time was 55.6 ± 8.7 min for unilateral TAPP and 99.1 ± 15.8 min for bilateral TAPP. The mean estimated blood loss was 7.1 ± 4.5 mL. The postoperative complications included 6 (3.3%) cases of seroma, 1 (0.5%) case of hematoma, and 3 (1.6%) cases of mild chronic pain. The incidences of chronic pelvic pain and genital prolapse seemed to be higher in the division group than in the preservation groups (6.1% vs. 0.6% and 3.0% vs. 0%, separately). However, no statistical difference was observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TAPP is feasible and effective for female patients with groin hernias, especially in preserving the round ligament of the uterus.

The round ligament of the uterus: Questioning its distal insertion.

PURPOSE: Classically, the round ligament of the uterus (RLU) attaches distally in the ipsilateral labia majora. This attachment has rarely been described in adults. That is why we have performed an anatomical study focused on this distal ending. PATIENTS: We performed in 2015 the cadaveric dissection of 19 RLU. METHODS: In all cases, the RLU was individualized on its entire length from its uterine origin to the inguinal canal. Then this canal was open from its internal orifice to its external orifice. We described the distal attachment of the RLU according four areas: before the internal inguinal ring, after the external inguinal ring, under the pubic bone and in labia majora. RESULTS: We found 3 types of distal attachments with first an attachment after the external inguinal ring in more than half of cases (52.6%). Then, before the internal inguinal ring (26.3%) and under the pubic bone (22.1%). No RLU was found inlabia majora. However, the proximal attachment seems constant at the antero-superior face of uterus, near the tubo-uterine junction like its pelvic path under the broad ligament. CONCLUSION: In adult, the RLU is a structure, which begins at the cranio-ventral part of the uterine bottom near the tubo-uterine junction. Then it passes under the broad ligament and reaches the inguinal canal, that it crosses in more half of cases. However, 3 distal attachment areas have been identified but never in the labia majora. Indeed, some anatomical information available in anatomical treaties seems not correct and should be amended.

A Case of Large Cystic Myxoid Leiomyoma in Uterine Round Ligament / 대한산부인과학회지

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign uterine tumor. They may be subserosal, intramural, or submucosal in location within the uterus or located in the cervix, in the broad ligament, or on a pedicle. But leiomyoma of the round ligament of the uterus is a rare condition occurring predominantly in premenopausal middle-age women, which is usually single and unilateral. In 50% of patients, they are associated with similar lesion of the uterus. Recently we have experienced a case of large cystic myxoid leiomyoma of the round ligament of the uterus misdiagnosed as an ovarian tumor in 32 year-old multiparous woman. We report this case with a brief review of literatures.

A case of Primary Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Round Ligament / 대한산부인과학회잡지

In adults, although malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most frequent malignant soft tissue tumor. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the round ligament of the uterus is comparatively very rare. A patient presented with severe lower abdominal pain and a palpable pelvic mass in the lower abdomen. Emergency laparotomy revealed a 15 X 15 cm tumor located in the left round ligament and adhered with uterus and intestine. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy. The final diagnosis was based on the pathological report of the surgical specimen.