Use of Bidirectional Barbed Suture in Laparoscopic Myomectomy: Evaluation of Perioperative Outcomes, Safety, and Efficacy

Study ObjectiveTo compare perioperative outcomes during laparoscopic myomectomy using a bidirectional barbed suture vs conventional smooth suture.DesignRetrospective analysis of 138 consecutive laparoscopic myomectomies performed by a single surgeon over 3 years (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).SettingMajor university teaching hospital.PatientsOne hundred thirty-eight women with symptomatic uterine myomas.InterventionsIn women undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy from February 2007 through April 2010, conventional smooth sutures were used in 31 patients, and bidirectional barbed suture in 107 patients.Measurements and Main ResultsThe primary indications for laparoscopic myomectomy in either group were pelvic pain or pressure and abnormal uterine bleeding. Use of bidirectional barbed suture was found to significantly shorten the mean (SD) duration of surgery (118 [53] minutes vs 162 [69] minutes; p <.05) and reduce the duration of hospital stay (0.58 [0.46] days vs 0.97 [0.45] days; p <.05). No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups insofar as incidence of perioperative complications, estimated blood loss, and number or weight of myomas removed during surgery.ConclusionUse of bidirectional barbed suture seems to facilitate closure of the hysterotomy site in laparoscopic myomectomy.