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Hysteroscopic myomectomy in a submucous fibroid near from tubal ostia and 5 mm from the serosa: a case report from the Endoscopy Service of Ginendo-RJ

Abstract

This is a case report of a 27-year-old white woman, nuliparous, single, who presented a heavy menstrual flow with clots, dysmenorrhoea and anaemia. Gynaecological examination of the uterus revealed anteverted position, mobility, no pain, slight enlargement and right displacement. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed a 29-mm submucous fibroid with intramural component more than 50%, type 2, in the posterior wall, with a 5-mm distance from serosa. In office hysteroscopy, a 30-mm submucous fibroid with an intramural component with more than 50%, type 2, near around 5 mm from left tubal ostia, classified in STEP-W submucous fibroids classification as score 6, group II, was noted. GnRH analogue was indicated for 3 months before intervention to treat anaemia. The patient was submitted to hysteroscopic myomectomy with direct mobilisation technique, with the fibroid completely removed without complications in a surgery which lasted for 52 min and 20 s.

Introduction

Hysteroscopic myomectomy has represented the standard minimally invasive surgical procedure for treating submucous fibroids since 1978 [1]. It eliminates the need for a laparotomy and is associated with lower morbidity than abdominal myomectomy [2]. Abnormal uterine bleeding and reproductive issues are the most common indications [3]. The benefits of the procedure are reflected by the improvement in menstrual pattern, fertility rate and overall patient satisfaction [2]. To achieve the full potentials of this technique, appropriate case selection and surgical expertise are essential [2]. It should be the preferred conservative surgical therapy for management of symptomatic intracavitary fibroids [4].

The choice of the technique mostly depends on fibroid intramural extension, as well as on personal experience and available equipment [4]. This evaluation is frequently only done with hysteroscopy and transvaginal ultrasound. Meanwhile, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives more accurate information depending on penetration and the number of fibroids [5].

One of the factors associated with myomectomy complexity is fibroid penetration level; the European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) classified them in three levels [5]. Lasmar et al. [5] created a new classification, STEP-W classification, with five parameters to evaluate the surgery complexity [5].

All authors consider the distance between fibroid and serosa to be an important factor related to a large number of perforations and overload [3]. Literature has still not established a maximum safe limit for performing myomectomy; in our service, we consider 5 mm as the safe minimum distance [5].

Hysteroscopic myomectomy can be performed in one operation or in two or more operations, depending on submucous myoma classification and the importance of preserving uterine cavity for future pregnancy. Advincula and Song [7] reported that type 0 and 1 (ESGE) fibroids are considered safe for a one-time resection; however, type 2 carries a high risk of uterine perforation and intravasation complications [7].

Our case report demonstrated that applying a more precise classification allows better pre-operative evaluation. These parameters make it possible to plan and successfully perform a two-stage hysteroscopic myomectomy in one submucous fibroid, which is only 5 mm from the uterine serosa and 5 mm from the tubal ostia.

Case report

A 27-year-old, single, white, nuliparous woman came to our private service (Ginendo-RJ) with the diagnosis of uterine fibroid. She complained of heavy menstrual bleeding, passing clots, dysmenorrheal and fatigue. Menstrual cycles were 9/26. She wanted to become pregnant.

Gynaecological examination revealed a normal vulva, vagina and uterine cervix. The uterus was in an anteverted position, mobile, painless, slightly enlarged and turned to the right. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed AVF uterus, with heterogeneous myometrium, a 29-mm hypoechoic nodule extending from the fundus through to the endometrium. Adnexae were normal. MRI and office hysteroscopy were requested.

Hysteroscopy showed an ample and irregular uterine cavity with a 30-mm submucous fibroid with intramural component more than 50% of its volume, type 2 (ESGE). It occupied more than one third but less than two thirds of the posterior wall, in the upper third of the cavity, near 5 mm from the tubal ostia, score 6, group II, on STEP-W classification (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Submucous fibroid near from tubal ostia

MRI showed AVF uterus, with a submucous fibroid with more than 50% intramural component (type 2—ESGE), posterior wall, measuring 29 × 25 × 24 mm (9 cm3). The shortest distance between the serosa and fibroid was 5 mm (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
figure 2

MRI of the submucous fibroid 5 mm from serosa

First, we prescribed three consecutive months of GnRH analogue for treatment of anaemia, and then hysteroscopic myomectomy was indicated. The patient was then advised of the possibility of surgical resection in two-time operations.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy was performed with complete nodule excision, using monopolar resectoscope, with direct mobilisation and slicing techniques, without incident. At the end of the procedure, negative fluid balance was 1,500 ml, and operation time was 52 min and 20 s. The patient was discharged the next morning.

In direct mobilisation techniques, the Collins electrode is used to dissect the endometrium around the fibroid until getting to it. In the next step, the direct mobilisation of the fibroid is started in all directions, extruding it into the cavity. The coagulation was done only in the bleeding vessels. When the fibroid is in the cavity, it is possible to remove it with grasping forceps (small fibroids) or to slice it in several pieces using the Collins electrode [8]. Two months later, a new office hysteroscopy was done, identifying uterine cavity with no fibroids or synechiae (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Hysteroscopic view 2 months after surgery

Discussion

Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the ideal approach for submucous fibroids when the goal is to preserve the uterine matrix. The complexity of the surgery is directly related to the size and localisation of the myoma in the uterine cavity. To obtain the best surgical result, correct submucous fibroid classification is necessary to select the surgical instruments, the technique and the appropriate team for difficult cases [5, 9, 10]. In our experience, only one parameter is not sufficient to estimate the degree of complexity in a hysteroscopic myomectomy. The penetration of myoma in the myometrium is important but not enough to judge the difficulty of surgery. There are small myomas with deep level of penetration in the uterine wall, located in topography where it is easy to access with a ressectoscope. Myomas with not-so-deep levels of penetration, located in thin uterine wall as cornual region, are very difficult to access with the ressectoscope. They may represent more complex and difficult surgery, sometimes leading to ending the procedure without the complete withdrawal of the nodule.

In this case, we have a 30-mm fibroid, in the fundus, 5 mm close to the tubal ostia and 5 mm from the serosa. Even being an average-sized fibroid, its location was the major parameter in raising difficulties to perform the surgery.

The previous use of the GnRH analogue was indicated for the treatment of anaemia. In our service, we use the GnRH analogues only in patients with anemia or to provoke the diving of the fibroid into the cavity before the second hysteroscopic myomectomy.

There are some services using GnRH analogues to decrease the fibroid’s size and vascularisation, intending to reduce the incidence of overload, but it increases the risk of uterine perforation [11]. We agree with Campo et al. that these advantages are not important for surgery [12]. Analysing this case report, we find support to expand the indication of hysteroscopic myomectomy in cases of submucous fibroids with intramural component, close from serosa. In these patients, we must have a more correct and complete submucous fibroid classification, using hysteroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. Another determining factor will be the choice of the surgery technique. In this case, we decided to use the technique of direct mobilisation of the fibroid, allowing its gradual migration with less damage to the uterine cavity. This case report confirms that it is possible to overcome the limits of hysteroscopic myomectomy by carrying out correct submucous fibroid classification and precise planning of the surgical technique, always in the hands of experienced surgeons.

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Correspondence to Ricardo Bassil Lasmar.

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Lasmar, R.B., Barrozo, P.R.M., da Rosa, D.B. et al. Hysteroscopic myomectomy in a submucous fibroid near from tubal ostia and 5 mm from the serosa: a case report from the Endoscopy Service of Ginendo-RJ. Gynecol Surg 6, 283–286 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10397-008-0416-8

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