Abstract
BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroids are the most common benign solid neoplasms of the uterus. Hysteroscopy represents the gold standard treatment for submucosal fibroids. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse all consecutive symptomatic patients diagnosed with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics G0-G3 fibroids who underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy, to identify factors that may influence the feasibility of single step myomectomy. METHODS: The study included all consecutive symptomatic patients, diagnosed with G0-G3 fibroid. Surgical procedure was performed by a single experienced surgeon. All patients underwent postoperative hysteroscopic control 30-40 days after the procedure. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Evaluation of feasibility of hysteroscopic myomectomy in a single surgical step. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were included. In 97 women (77.6%) the fibroid was removed in one single step; 28 patients (22.4%) had a residual fibroid. Of these patients, in 10 cases (35.7%) the residual fibroid was removed during the office hysteroscopic control, 16 (57.2%) and 2 (7.1%) patients required II- and III-time myomectomy, respectively. 85.6% of patients did not need a second time surgery under general anaesthesia. At univariate and multivariate analysis, diameter was found to be the parameter most related to single-step fibroid removal with P=0.001 and P<0.001 respectively. For G0-3 fibroids <3 cm in 72% (66/92) of cases the 15 Fr mini-resectoscope was used with one step myomectomy in 89.4% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In expert hands, single step hysteroscopic myomectomy is feasible for G0-3 fibroids. The possibility to use miniaturized instruments for myomectomy may improve the surgical outcomes and prevent intra- and post-operative complications, in particular uterine perforation by avoiding cervical dilation. Further studies are needed to evaluate the true efficacy of 15 Fr mini-resectoscope in the removal of G0-G3 fibroids <3 cm. WHAT IS NEW? Hysteroscopic myomectomy in a single surgical step is feasible for G0-G3 fibroids, with diameter being the only independent factor influencing the success of the procedure. In expert hands, the success rate of single step myomectomy by using miniaturized instruments in fibroids ≤3 cm, is 89.4%.