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 Gynaccology, 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 50 min (mean 39 min). Mean blood loss was less than 30 rut 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 30-40 min with only minimal blood loss and short hospital stay if performed by experienced laparoscopists. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.