Treatment of adenomyomectomy in women with severe uterine adenomyosis using a novel technique

The advised treatment for severe adenomyosis is hysterectomy, but for patients wishing to preserve their uterus, novel conservative surgery, adenomyomectomy, can be performed. The technique needs to be developed to reduce spontaneous uterine rupture, adhesion and recurrence rates. This study aimed to investigate the safety and therapeutic outcomes of adenomyomectomy. Prospectively, 103 Iranian patients with documented severe adenomyosis were candidates for adenomyomectomy over a period of 7 years (from April 2004 to March 2011). The surgical procedure involved resection of adenomatosis lesions with a thin (<= 0.5 cm) margin (wedge-shaped removal) after sagittal incision in the uterine body. Reconstruction of the layers was performed and inverted sutures were used for the serosal layer ends. Of 103 patients, 55.34% presented with infertility, 16.50% with IVF failure, 8.74% with recurrent abortion and 19.42% with abnormal uterine bleeding. Of 70 patients who attempted pregnancy, naturally (n = 21) or by assisted reproduction treatment (n = 49), 30% achieved a clinical pregnancy, and 16 resulted in a full-term live birth. Dysmenorrhoea and hypermenorrhoea were reduced post surgery. Only one patient had relapsed adenomyosis. Adenomyomectomy is a conservative and effective treatment for adenomyosis. This study describes an efficient procedure to treat severe adenomyosis. (C) 2014, Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.