Laparoscopic myomectomy after failure of uterine artery embolization.

A patient experienced continuing pain and growth of a broad-based pedunculated myoma 6 months after uterine artery embolization (UAE). A 7-cm myoma was found growing directly from the serosa of the fallopian tube and was removed laparoscopically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic myomectomy performed after failure of UAE. This case identifies one of the predictable limitations of UAE of which gynecologists must be cognizant when recommending the procedure.

Pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopic myomectomy with ultrasonic energy and laparoscopic suturing of the endometrial cavity.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes in women with laparoscopic removal of myomas that resulted in entry into the endometrial cavity and required laparoscopic repair of the endometrial cavity. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING; Private obstetrics-gynecology practice and departments of obstetrics and gynecology at two university-affiliated hospitals. PATIENTS: Seven women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata treated by laparoscopic myomectomy, who achieved pregnancy. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic dissection of myomas with the ultrasonic scalpel and laparoscopic suturing of the uterus with the Endo Stitch device in three layers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Indications for laparoscopic myomectomies were excessive bleeding and significant growth of uterine myomas. The size of myomas in all patients ranged from 12 to 2 cm. Average operating time was 232.8 minutes and average blood loss was 117.8 ml. The largest number of myomas removed from a single patient was nine. All procedures were performed on an outpatient basis and no complications occurred. All women easily achieved pregnancy and four were delivered at or near term by cesarean section. One delivered vaginally at 28 weeks secondary to uncontrolled premature labor, without uterine dehiscence. Two had elective terminations at 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic suturing of the endometrial cavity in three layers does not prevent future pregnancies, and pregnancies can progress to term and in some cases be delivered vaginally without dehiscence. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 8(1):129-136, 2001)

On-Q system for managing trocar site pain after operative laparoscopy.

The On-Q system provides long-term pain relief with continuous infusion of a local anesthetic directly into the trocar site after operative laparoscopy. An elastometric pump filled with bupivacaine HCl and a catheter, inserted by the surgeon, delivers 48 hours of anesthesia (100 ml) at a rate of 2 ml/hour. The pump is secured to the outer surgical dressing or to the patient's clothing with tape or an E clip provided in the package. The system can be removed by the patient when the infusion is complete.

Ovarian failure after uterine artery embolization for treatment of myomas.

Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is an effective, safe, nonsurgical treatment for uterine myomas. Although menstrual irregularities and transient amenorrhea have occurred after UAE, these reports did not provide proper hormonal documentation of ovarian failure. Our patient experienced elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) within 4 weeks after the procedure. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of ovarian failure after UAE confirmed by comparing preprocedure FSH levels with postprocedure levels over 12 months.

Uterine closure with the endo stitch 10-mm laparoscopic suturing device--a review of 50 laparoscopic myomectomies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mechanical performance of the Endo Stitch Laparoscopic Suturing Device and the clinical effectiveness of both a running, locked suture technique and a new modified suture technique for closure of uterine defects after laparoscopic removal of myomas. STUDY SUBJECTS: Fifty consecutive patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata. OBSERVATIONAL METHOD: Retrospective chart review. MAIN FINDINGS: The endometrial cavity was entered and sutured laparoscopically, in two layers, in 22 patients. In 28 patients, only the myometrium was sutured. A two-layered closure of the endometrium and myometrium was completed in an average time of 10 minutes. Mechanical problems with the Endo Stitch occurred in 11 cases. In all patients with second-look laparoscopies, the fallopian tubes were patent bilaterally without adhesions. No uterine fistulas were present in any patients with second-look laparoscopies. Posterior myomas were removed and sutured without adhesion formation. Grade 3 adhesions, to the uterine surface, were associated with transverse incisions of the uterus and over-treatment with GnRH analogs. CONCLUSIONS: The Endo Stitch Laparoscopic Suturing Device in combination with a running, locked suture technique achieves a rapid, hemostatic, clinically secure closure of the endometrium and myometrium. The Endo Stitch and our modified suture technique were not associated with adhesions or blockage of the fallopian tubes or uterine fistulas following laparoscopic myomectomies. The initial mechanical problems with the Endo Stitch were resolved. In our experience, currently the Endo Stitch is the best instrument for laparoscopic suture closure of uterine defects.

Comparison of 49 laparoscopic myomectomies with 49 open myomectomies.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare the results of open myomectomy with those of laparoscopic myomectomy, and to assess complications, surgical results, total hospital cost, and morbidity associated with each procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Private practice of one surgeon, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois. PATIENTS: Ninety-eight women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata. INTERVENTIONS: Forty-nine consecutive laparoscopic myomectomies were performed between 1993 and 1995, and 49 open myomectomies were performed between 1983 and 1995. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Indications for both procedures were similar, including menometrorrhagia, pelvic pain, and enlarging myomata. Mean operating time for open myomectomies was 133 minutes versus 264 minutes for laparoscopies (p <0.0001). Mean blood loss was 340 ml and 110 ml, respectively (p <0. 001). The greatest blood loss was 1000 ml in the open group and 800 ml in the laparoscopic group. Uterine size at surgery was 12 to 14 weeks in 42.9% of the open group and 9 to 11 weeks in 51% of the laparoscopy group. The open group incurred a total of 272 hospital days versus 29 days in the laparoscopic group (maximum 25 and 3 days, respectively; mean 5.6 and 0.6 days, respectively; p <0.001). The frequency of postoperative complications was higher in the open group (17) than in the laparoscopic group (5, p = 0.0068). Of patients in whom postoperative adhesions were evaluated, the overall frequency of adhesions was lower in the laparoscopic group. Three women in the open group required postoperative transfusions, compared with none in the laparoscopic group. Seven pregnancies have thus far occurred in the laparoscopic group. Three women delivered at term by elective cesarean section, at which no evidence of uterine dehiscence was found. Estimated average cost of each procedure, expressed in April 1995 dollars using the Consumer Price Index, were $14,461 for open myomectomies and $13,814 for laparoscopies (p = 0.65). Linear regression with residual analysis was performed on costs for both groups and revealed significantly increasing time trend for open myomectomies. During the years of this study, the open procedures increased in price at a rate of $868/year. The cost of laparoscopic myomectomies showed no time trend. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with open myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy had lower morbidity, no identifiable trend of increasing hospital cost, minimal hospital stay, and fewer complications.

Laparoscopic myomectomy in African-American women.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic myomectomy in an ethnic group with a statistically increased frequency of uterine leiomyomata. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Private practice of one surgeon, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois. PATIENTS: Forty-one consecutive African-American women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy and were followed for 12 to 26 months. INTERVENTIONS: The women received a modified protocol for gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment before laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic myomectomies were performed under general anesthesia using energy sources of monopolar and bipolar electrosurgery and ultrasonic coagulation-cutting (harmonic scalpel). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seventy percent (70%, 29 women) of procedures were completed on an outpatient basis. Twelve patients were hospitalized for an average of 1.3 days. No significant operative or postoperative complications occurred, and none of the women required blood transfusions or readmission. The conversion rate was zero. Forty patients (91%) reported complete resolution or significant reduction of their symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient laparoscopic myomectomy is safe and effective in African-American women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata of 20 weeks' size or less.

Laparoscopic myomectomy with the endo stitch 10-mm laparoscopic suturing device.

Three women experienced bleeding, pain, and pressure symptoms attributable to uterine myomas. Because they were not responsive to conservative therapy, they underwent outpatient laparoscopic myomectomy after 3 months of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration. The Endo Stitch 10-mm laparoscopic suturing device was used to close the uterus with interrupted and continuous locked sutures. The instrument shortened the operative time by approximately 40 minutes.

New closure technique for lateral operative laparoscopic trocar sites. A report of 80 closures.

The reported frequency of incisional hernias, after operative gynecological laparoscopy, at extraumbilical trocar sites is one per 32 puncture sites created by a 12-mm trocar. A new closure technique of suturing with the Grice Needle (Ideas for Medicine, Inc., Clearwater, FL) before removing the trocars was utilized to close 80 lateral trocar sites (42 consecutive laparoscopic myomectomies). The trocar sizes in this study were 12 mm and 18 mm. This is the largest reported series of lateral trocar-site closures. No hematomas or bleeding or incisional hernias have resulted from use of this technique. This closure allows the surgeon to completely close both peritoneum and fascia, of the lateral trocar sites, under direct laparoscopic visualization without the loss of pneumoperitoneum or risk of inadvertent injury to the small bowel.