Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal myomectomy through an anterior approach.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combined laparoscopic and vaginal approach through the anterior cul-de-sac in dealing with fundal and/or anterior wall uterine myomata.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seven women with symptomatic fundal and/or anterior wall uterine myomata were enrolled in this study. After laparoscopic identification of the location of the myomata, a guiding suture brought the dominant myoma down through the anterior cul-de-sac into the vagina via an anterior colpotomy. Resection and suturing were then performed transvaginally.

RESULTS

Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) operative time, blood loss, and the length of hospital stay were 88.1 +/- 27.8 minutes, 278.6 +/- 131.8 mL, and 2.9 +/- 0.7 days, respectively. No patients developed serious complications, and only four transient macroscopic hematuria occurred intra- and postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Although transient hematuria may occur, a combined laparoscopy and vaginal approach in dealing with fundal and/or anterior wall uterine fibroids through the anterior cul-de-sac is an alternative to pure laparoscopic myomectomy.