Short-term results from laparoscopic dissection of uterine vessels in women with symptomatic fibroids.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcome, tissue trauma, clinical improvement and the reduction in size of fibroid following laparoscopic dissection of uterine vessels (LDUV).

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Endoscopic Training Centre, Baby Friendly Hospital, Kladno, Czech Republic.

DESIGN

An uncontrolled case series of 17 consecutive women who underwent LDUV using ultrasonically activated shears for the treatment of fibroids over two years. Ultrasound imaging was carried out before and three and six months following treatment. The tissue markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Creatin kinase (CK) and white blood cell count) were studied preoperatively, on the first and third postoperative day.

RESULTS

All patients underwent successful LDUV without intraoperative complications. Tissue markers results show that the LDUV performed using ultrasonically activated shears is associated with insignificant tissue damage. Time of surgery ranged from 30 to 50min (mean 39min). Mean blood loss was less than 30ml and mean hospital stay was 2.3 days. Three and six months after surgery, respectively, average reduction in uterine volume was 23.6 and 36.8% and average reduction in dominant fibroid was 28.6 and 56.8%. 94.1% of women had improvement in menorrhagia or dysmenorrhoea, and 91.6% had improvement in bulk-related symptoms or pelvic pain six months after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Uterine volume and dominant fibroid were reduced and symptoms were improved by LDUV. The procedure of laparoscopic dissection of uterine vessels can be completed within 30-40min with only minimal blood loss and short hospital stay if performed by experienced laparoscopists.