Laparoscopic myomectomy and myolysis

The indications for operative laparoscopy have increased greatly over the past decades as its many advantages over laparotomy have become recognized. Laparoscopic myomectomy as a technique is now clearly described. A monopolar hook is used for the uterine incision. After atraumatic enucleation of the myoma, myometrium and serosa are usually sutured particularly if the incision is deep or more than 2 cm long. Myomas can be removed by posterior colpotomy. However, the development of an electrical cutting device permits an easier and quicker removal of the myoma through the suprapubic puncture site. Only complicated myomas and/or those which give rise to persistent symptoms despite properly prescribed medical treatment, together with those which grow rapidly, require surgery. In our experience of ablation of myomas measuring 5 cm and over the results were satisfactory in all 71 patients with more than one year of follow-up. In two cases (2.7%) we were obliged to convert to laparotomy. We were confronted with no serious peroperative or post-operative complications. These satisfactory results must not mask the fact that the technique is lengthy and difficult and should be carried out by experienced surgeons thoroughly familiar with endoscopic sutures. Under these conditions, laparoscopic myomectomy is possible, for large myomas (5 cm and over) even if they are located completely intramurally. However, there are limits and it is preferable to use laparotomy for myomas measuring over 10 cm and for multiple myomectomy (over 3). Finally, the risk of causing adhesions and the quality of the uterine suture need to be assessed in the near future. © 1995 Baillière Tindall. All rights reserved.