Strategy for Laparoscopic Cervical Myomectomy

ObjectiveMyoma of the uterine cervix is rare, accounting for about 5% of all myomas. Compared with myomas that occur in the uterine corpus, cervical myomas are closer to other organs such as the bladder, ureter, and rectum, and the approach needs to be modified because the organs that have to be considered differ depending on the location of the myoma. We divided cervical myomas into 2 types according to location, comprising an intracervical type and extracervical types. A clear outline of surgical treatment for cervical myoma has not described in previous papers. We then investigated the surgical strategy for these types.PatientsSubjects comprised 16 patients who were diagnosed with cervical myoma in our hospital between January 2005 and April 2009, and who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy.ResultMean operative time was 105.8±43.2 (82.8-128.8) min, mean blood loss was 105±117 (42.6-167.4) ml, and mean specimen weight was 208.3±195.4 (99.3-306.2) g. Histopathological examination showed atypical myoma in 1 case and leiomyoma in others.Conclusions16 cases of cervical myomectomy were performed safely by developing a uniform strategy that uses a fixed operative procedure, even with laparotomy, if sufficient attention is paid to the following 6 points: 1) attempting to reduce the size of the myoma with the use of preoperative GnRH; 2) determining the positional relationship between the myoma and surrounding organs; 3) temporarily blocking uterine artery blood flow with the use of vessel clips; 4) suppressing bleeding during myomectomy with the use of vasopressin; 5) minimizing the risk of damaging surrounding organs by positioning the incision in the myometrium somewhat lateral to the uterine corpus; and 6) the bottom of the wound after enculation should be pulled up by the forceps for suturing to avoid making dead space.