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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2020Fibroids are the most common benign tumours of the female genital tract and are associated with numerous clinical problems including a possible negative impact on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Fibroids are the most common benign tumours of the female genital tract and are associated with numerous clinical problems including a possible negative impact on fertility. In women requesting preservation of fertility, fibroids can be surgically removed (myomectomy) by laparotomy, laparoscopically or hysteroscopically depending on the size, site and type of fibroid. Myomectomy is however a procedure that is not without risk and can result in serious complications. It is therefore essential to determine whether such a procedure can result in an improvement in fertility and, if so, to then determine the ideal surgical approach.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the effect of myomectomy on fertility outcomes and to compare different surgical approaches.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group (CGFG) Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Epistemonikos database, World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform search portal, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), LILACS, conference abstracts on the ISI Web of Knowledge, OpenSigle for grey literature from Europe, and reference list of relevant papers. The final search was in February 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effect of myomectomy compared to no intervention or where different surgical approaches are compared regarding the effect on fertility outcomes in a group of infertile women suffering from uterine fibroids.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis were conducted in accordance with the procedure suggested in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
MAIN RESULTS
This review included four RCTs with 442 participants. The evidence was very low-quality with the main limitations being due to serious imprecision, inconsistency and indirectness. Myomectomy versus no intervention One study examined the effect of myomectomy compared to no intervention on reproductive outcomes. We are uncertain whether myomectomy improves clinical pregnancy rate for intramural (odds ratio (OR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 6.14; 45 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), submucous (OR 2.04, 95% CI 0.62 to 6.66; 52 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), intramural/subserous (OR 2.00, 95% CI 0.40 to 10.09; 31 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence) or intramural/submucous fibroids (OR 3.24, 95% CI 0.72 to 14.57; 42 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence). Similarly, we are uncertain whether myomectomy reduces miscarriage rate for intramural fibroids (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.26 to 6.78; 45 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), submucous fibroids (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.27 to 5.97; 52 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), intramural/subserous fibroids (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.10 to 6.54; 31 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence) or intramural/submucous fibroids (OR 2.00, 95% CI 0.32 to 12.33; 42 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence). This study did not report on live birth, preterm delivery, ongoing pregnancy or caesarean section rate. Laparoscopic myomectomy versus myomectomy by laparotomy or mini-laparotomy Two studies compared laparoscopic myomectomy to myomectomy at laparotomy or mini-laparotomy. We are uncertain whether laparoscopic myomectomy compared to laparotomy or mini-laparotomy improves live birth rate (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.50; 177 participants; two studies; I = 0%; very low-quality evidence), preterm delivery rate (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.11 to 4.29; participants = 177; two studies; I = 0%, very low-quality evidence), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.78; 177 participants; two studies; I = 0%, very low-quality evidence), ongoing pregnancy rate (OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.26 to 10.04; 115 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), miscarriage rate (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.40 to 3.89; participants = 177; two studies; I = 0%, very low-quality evidence), or caesarean section rate (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.39; participants = 177; two studies; I = 21%, very low-quality evidence). Monopolar resectoscope versus bipolar resectoscope One study evaluated the use of two electrosurgical systems during hysteroscopic myomectomy. We are uncertain whether bipolar resectoscope use compared to monopolar resectoscope use improves live birth/ongoing pregnancy rate (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.30 to 2.50; 68 participants; one study, very low-quality evidence), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.36; 68 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), or miscarriage rate (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.19 to 5.34; participants = 68; one study; very low-quality evidence). This study did not report on preterm delivery or caesarean section rate.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is limited evidence to determine the role of myomectomy for infertility in women with fibroids as only one trial compared myomectomy with no myomectomy. If the decision is made to have a myomectomy, the current evidence does not indicate a superior method (laparoscopy, laparotomy or different electrosurgical systems) to improve rates of live birth, preterm delivery, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, or caesarean section. Furthermore, the existing evidence needs to be viewed with caution due to the small number of events, minimal number of studies and very low-quality evidence.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Leiomyomatosis; Live Birth; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Uterine Myomectomy; Uterine Neoplasms
PubMed: 31995657
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003857.pub4 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2022Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with women's quality of life, regardless of the absolute amount of bleeding. It is a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with women's quality of life, regardless of the absolute amount of bleeding. It is a very common condition in women of reproductive age, affecting 2 to 5 of every 10 women. Diverse treatments, either medical (hormonal or non-hormonal) or surgical, are currently available for HMB, with different effectiveness, acceptability, costs and side effects. The best treatment will depend on the woman's age, her intention to become pregnant, the presence of other symptoms, and her personal views and preferences.
OBJECTIVES
To identify, systematically assess and summarise all evidence from studies included in Cochrane Reviews on treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), using reviews with comparable participants and outcomes; and to present a ranking of the first- and second-line treatments for HMB.
METHODS
We searched for published Cochrane Reviews of HMB interventions in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The primary outcomes were menstrual bleeding and satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, adverse events and the requirement of further treatment. Two review authors independently selected the systematic reviews, extracted data and assessed quality, resolving disagreements by discussion. We assessed review quality using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 tool and evaluated the certainty of the evidence for each outcome using GRADE methods. We grouped the interventions into first- and second-line treatments, considering participant characteristics (desire for future pregnancy, failure of previous treatment, candidacy for surgery). First-line treatments included medical interventions, and second-line treatments included both the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and surgical treatments; thus the LNG-IUS is included in both groups. We developed different networks for first- and second-line treatments. We performed network meta-analyses of all outcomes, except for quality of life, where we performed pairwise meta-analyses. We reported the mean rank, the network estimates for mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the certainty of evidence (moderate, low or very low certainty). We also analysed different endometrial ablation and resection techniques separately from the main network: transcervical endometrial resection (TCRE) with or without rollerball, other resectoscopic endometrial ablation (REA), microwave non-resectoscopic endometrial ablation (NREA), hydrothermal ablation NREA, bipolar NREA, balloon NREA and other NREA.
MAIN RESULTS
We included nine systematic reviews published in the Cochrane Library up to July 2021. We updated the reviews that were over two years old. In July 2020, we started the overview with no new reviews about the topic. The included medical interventions were: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antifibrinolytics (tranexamic acid), combined oral contraceptives (COC), combined vaginal ring (CVR), long-cycle and luteal oral progestogens, LNG-IUS, ethamsylate and danazol (included to provide indirect evidence), which were compared to placebo. Surgical interventions were: open (abdominal), minimally invasive (vaginal or laparoscopic) and unspecified (or surgeon's choice of route of) hysterectomy, REA, NREA, unspecified endometrial ablation (EA) and LNG-IUS. We grouped the interventions as follows. First-line treatments Evidence from 26 studies with 1770 participants suggests that LNG-IUS results in a large reduction of menstrual blood loss (MBL; mean rank 2.4, MD -105.71 mL/cycle, 95% CI -201.10 to -10.33; low certainty evidence); antifibrinolytics probably reduce MBL (mean rank 3.7, MD -80.32 mL/cycle, 95% CI -127.67 to -32.98; moderate certainty evidence); long-cycle progestogen reduces MBL (mean rank 4.1, MD -76.93 mL/cycle, 95% CI -153.82 to -0.05; low certainty evidence), and NSAIDs slightly reduce MBL (mean rank 6.4, MD -40.67 mL/cycle, -84.61 to 3.27; low certainty evidence; reference comparator mean rank 8.9). We are uncertain of the true effect of the remaining interventions and the sensitivity analysis for reduction of MBL, as the evidence was rated as very low certainty. We are uncertain of the true effect of any intervention (very low certainty evidence) on the perception of improvement and satisfaction. Second-line treatments Bleeding reduction is related to the type of hysterectomy (total or supracervical/subtotal), not the route, so we combined all routes of hysterectomy for bleeding outcomes. We assessed the reduction of MBL without imputed data (11 trials, 1790 participants) and with imputed data (15 trials, 2241 participants). Evidence without imputed data suggests that hysterectomy (mean rank 1.2, OR 25.71, 95% CI 1.50 to 439.96; low certainty evidence) and REA (mean rank 2.8, OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.29 to 5.66; low certainty evidence) result in a large reduction of MBL, and NREA probably results in a large reduction of MBL (mean rank 2.0, OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.53 to 7.23; moderate certainty evidence). Evidence with imputed data suggests hysterectomy results in a large reduction of MBL (mean rank 1.0, OR 14.31, 95% CI 2.99 to 68.56; low certainty evidence), and NREA probably results in a large reduction of MBL (mean rank 2.2, OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.29 to 6.05; moderate certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the true effect for REA (very low certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect on amenorrhoea (very low certainty evidence). Evidence from 27 trials with 4284 participants suggests that minimally invasive hysterectomy results in a large increase in satisfaction (mean rank 1.3, OR 7.96, 95% CI 3.33 to 19.03; low certainty evidence), and NREA also increases satisfaction (mean rank 3.6, OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.33; low certainty evidence), but we are uncertain of the true effect of the remaining interventions (very low certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Evidence suggests LNG-IUS is the best first-line treatment for reducing menstrual blood loss (MBL); antifibrinolytics are probably the second best, and long-cycle progestogens are likely the third best. We cannot make conclusions about the effect of first-line treatments on perception of improvement and satisfaction, as evidence was rated as very low certainty. For second-line treatments, evidence suggests hysterectomy is the best treatment for reducing bleeding, followed by REA and NREA. We are uncertain of the effect on amenorrhoea, as evidence was rated as very low certainty. Minimally invasive hysterectomy may result in a large increase in satisfaction, and NREA also increases satisfaction, but we are uncertain of the true effect of the remaining second-line interventions, as evidence was rated as very low certainty.
Topics: Amenorrhea; Antifibrinolytic Agents; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Menorrhagia; Network Meta-Analysis; Progestins; Quality of Life; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 35638592
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013180.pub2 -
JSLS : Journal of the Society of... 2017Many women have undergone both resectoscopic and nonresectoscopic (or global) endometrial ablation (EA) during the past 20 years. These women are now approaching their... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Many women have undergone both resectoscopic and nonresectoscopic (or global) endometrial ablation (EA) during the past 20 years. These women are now approaching their sixth and seventh decades of life, a time frame in which endometrial carcinoma (EC) is most frequently diagnosed.
DATABASE
In several reports, surgeons have expressed concern that endometrial ablation may leave a sequestered island of EC that may escape detection, possibly delaying its diagnosis or causing it to appear at an advanced stage. Others suggest that EA artifact does not hinder the evaluation and treatment planning in the presence of EC. Data bases used are from Medline and PubMed.
DISCUSSION
We introduce 6 new cases of postablation endometrial carcinoma (PAEC), 4 of which occurred after the introduction of global endometrial ablation (GEA) techniques. In addition, we examine several key questions regarding the impact of EA on the subsequent development of EC, including the manner in which PAEC presents, the efficacy of traditional diagnostic modalities, the ablation-to-cancer interval, and the stage of PAEC at the time of diagnosis. Finally, we explore the use of reoperative hysteroscopic surgery (RHS) as a diagnostic modality and address the possible role ultrasound surveillance as a screening method for women at risk of EC.
Topics: Endometrial Ablation Techniques; Endometrial Neoplasms; Endometrium; Female; Humans; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 28584500
DOI: 10.4293/JSLS.2017.00011 -
Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery Mar 2022Transanal endoscopic surgery encompasses the minimally invasive surgical techniques used to operate in the rectum under magnification while maintaining pneumorectum via... (Review)
Review
Transanal endoscopic surgery encompasses the minimally invasive surgical techniques used to operate in the rectum under magnification while maintaining pneumorectum via a resectoscope or port. The view, magnification, and surgical precision afforded by these advanced transanal techniques have resulted in excellent specimen quality and low recurrence rates, especially compared with traditional transanal surgery. For rigid platforms, the surgeon operates through a rigid 4-cm diameter steel proctoscope of varying lengths that is clamped to the operating table with an articulating arm. Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is a newer flexible platform using a disposable port which "hooks" into the anorectal ring to remain in place. The cost-effectiveness and versatility of the TAMIS platform have resulted in its popularity and use in more advanced applications such as transanal total mesorectal excision. Ultimately, the choice of operating platform should be based on surgeon preference, patient characteristics, availability, and cost. The pros and cons of each platform will be discussed in this article.
PubMed: 35237103
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1742108 -
Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology Mar 2022Many therapies have been proposed for cervical pregnancy (CP) treatment; however, there is no consensus on the best practice to adopt, mainly owing to the rarity of this... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Many therapies have been proposed for cervical pregnancy (CP) treatment; however, there is no consensus on the best practice to adopt, mainly owing to the rarity of this condition and the lack of randomized controlled trials. Therefore, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the management of this patient set. We presented an English literature review about the hysteroscopic management of CP.
DATA SOURCES
The literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Scoping Reviews. The search strategy aimed at identifying cases from the first patients tracked down to those diagnosed in May of 2021. We searched in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases. Mesh terms used included "Cervical Pregnancy," "Hysteroscopy," "Ectopic pregnancy," and "Resectoscopy."
METHOD OF STUDY SELECTION
Case reports of randomized controlled trials, prospective controlled studies, prospective cohort studies, retrospective studies, case series, and case reports were considered eligible. Review, Letters to the Editor, and abstracts accepted at conferences were ruled out.
TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS
We found a total of 3572 articles in all analyzed databases. A total of 2480 articles viewed were duplicated and therefore ruled out. After screening and excluding nonpertinent articles, 109 were assessed for eligibility, and 19 were included in the analysis. All articles were single case reports, small case series with no criteria selection, randomization, or study planning. We classified them as follows: cases treated with 10 mm resectoscope, with or without pretreatments of previous CP hysteroscopic approach, and cases resolved with 5 mm hysteroscopy, with or without pretreatments of previous CP hysteroscopic approach.
CONCLUSION
The hysteroscopic method represents a feasible and safe approach to the CP treatment, although there are still some aspects to be clarified, such as the pretreatment need and the instruments' type and sizes based on the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin, pregnancy age, and dimension.
Topics: Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Ectopic; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34600146
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2021.09.712 -
Facts, Views & Vision in ObGyn May 2020Resectoscopic injuries to bowel and/or vessels, although rare, can be catastrophic, resulting in significant patient harm including death and can provoke medicolegal...
BACKGROUND
Resectoscopic injuries to bowel and/or vessels, although rare, can be catastrophic, resulting in significant patient harm including death and can provoke medicolegal litigation.
OBJECTIVE
To examine indications, preoperative risk factors, perioperative findings and intervention, and clinical outcomes of resectoscopic injuries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eleven cases of resectoscopic complications were reviewed by one author (G.A.V.) for medicolegal purposes. After grouping of the complications, one case for each complication was selected, edited and reconstructed to reflect and highlight all potential complications associated with monopolar resectoscopes (26F, 9-mm) and nonconductive distending medium. Although these cases are reconstructed from actual complications, they do not reflect specific cases of medicolegal opinions and outcomes. Indications for resectoscopic surgery included abnormal uterine bleeding and/or infertility in premenopausal women.
RESULTS
Injuries were associated with uterine perforation resulting in hemorrhage or bowel injury; urinary bladder injury without uterine perforation; and thermal injuries to lower genital tract and dispersive electrode site.
CONCLUSIONS
Resectoscopic complications are associated with any one or a combination of trauma during uterine access or intra-operatively, excessive fluid intravasation of distending medium or thermal injuries from applied energy. Uterine perforation in the presence of distorted anatomy (e.g. uterine fibroids) may be considered as a known and accepted complication. Lower genital tract and dispersive electrode site burn occur due to inherent design of monopolar resectoscopes. Appropriate intra- and post-operative intervention minimizes adverse clinical and medicolegal outcomes. Lack of post-operative vigilance and inappropriate delay in investigation and intervention is associated with adverse clinical and, potentially, unfavourable legal outcomes.
WHAT IS NEW?
Reviewing resectoscopic complications raises awareness; provides insight for avoidance, recognition and timely intervention to minimise adverse clinical and medicolegal outcomes.
PubMed: 32696024
DOI: No ID Found -
Pediatric Reports Apr 2023Bladder blood clots represent an infrequent urinary condition in children. They usually result from hematuria with many underlying causes, such as urinary tract... (Review)
Review
Bladder blood clots represent an infrequent urinary condition in children. They usually result from hematuria with many underlying causes, such as urinary tract infections and urethral/bladder traumas. Treatment options for clot removal include trans-urethral or suprapubic bladder irrigation and, if unsuccessful, endoscopic management under general anesthesia with a resectoscope. In younger male children, however, the repeated passage of a trans-urethral resectoscope may be challenging and traumatic, due to the small lumen diameter. Eventually, an open surgical approach can be required in many patients. Few anecdotal non-surgical approaches have been proposed for the management of bladder blood clots in children. This review aims to summarize the conservative techniques described in the literature with the instillation of intravesical agents, analyzing the different strategies and their advantages.
PubMed: 37092476
DOI: 10.3390/pediatric15020024 -
Fertility and Sterility Jun 1991To evaluate safety and efficacy of resectoscopic myomectomy for control of menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and/or reproductive wastage.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate safety and efficacy of resectoscopic myomectomy for control of menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and/or reproductive wastage.
DESIGN
Retrospective consecutive patient follow-up.
SETTING
Private practice, outpatient, hospital.
PATIENTS
All patients (92) having resectoscopic myomectomy between September 1, 1986 and December 31, 1989.
INTERVENTIONS
Resectoscopic myomectomy with or without concomitant procedures such as endometrial ablation.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Assessment of dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and reproductive outcome after surgery.
RESULTS
Elimination of dysmenorrhea in 24 of 28, absence of menorrhagia in 65 of 80, and pregnancy in 10 of 13 with two abortions in a total of 11 gestations. One patient was admitted and treated with one unit of autologous blood and mechanical tamponade with an intrauterine balloon. Three cases of uterine perforation had no sequelae. One patient had mild endometritis responding to outpatient antibiotics. Two cases of leiomyosarcoma were diagnosed histologically and accounted for two of the three hysterectomies noted during follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Resectoscopic myomectomy is a safe, effective, and relatively simple outpatient surgical procedure.
Topics: Adult; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Leiomyoma; Menorrhagia; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Uterine Neoplasms
PubMed: 2037101
DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54349-0 -
International Journal of Surgery... Jul 2017Polyps of the lower reproductive tract are found in 7.8-50% of women. It has been hypothesized that cytogenetic modifications on chromosomes 6, 7 and 12 as well as... (Review)
Review
Polyps of the lower reproductive tract are found in 7.8-50% of women. It has been hypothesized that cytogenetic modifications on chromosomes 6, 7 and 12 as well as epigenetic factors involving enzyme and metabolic activities may cause polyps to develop. Cervical polyps found in 2-5% of cases are of low clinical significance and can cause, although rarely, post coital bleedings. Cervical polyps grow during pregnancy and mucorrhoea. Trans vaginal ultrasound (TVU) provides an excellent diagnostic technique to diagnose the size and the anatomic location of endometrial polyps (EPs). In asymptomatic young woman with small EPs <10 mm in size, conservative management can be safely followed by monitoring the polyp growth. EPs located at the fundal and tubocornual regions mechanically affect fertility and disturb normal cellular function due to chronic inflammation. In cases where Eps are a cause of subfertility mechanical hysteroscopic resection is advisable. When the sole reason for infertility is an EP, the patient often becomes spontaneously pregnant shortly after removal. EP Detection in either peri- or post-menopausal age, in symptomatic or asymptomatic patients calls for meticulous hysteroscopic examination and polypectomy is mandatory. Endometrial curettage is also recommended to rule out sub clinical endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. Hysteroscopic surgery for large EPs using bipolar resectoscopes, hysteroscopic morcellators or shavers are considered equally efficient and safe under general anaesthesia. Recurrence rate of EPs after resection is unknown. The recent advances in TVU and hysteroscopy, however, should provide an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of polyp in the female reproductive tract with minimal recurrence or surgery complications. The significantly increased incidence of colorectal polyps in cohorts that also had EPs might indicate that patients with EPs should be also referred for colonoscopy. EPs have the lowest incidence of malignant transformation as compared to colon, urinary bladder, oropharyngeal, nasal and laryngeal carcinomas.
Topics: Adult; Disease Management; Female; Genital Diseases, Female; Humans; Hysteroscopy; Middle Aged; Obstetric Surgical Procedures; Polyps; Pregnancy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28483662
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.05.012