Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence

Objective: This narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding fertility outcomes associated with different minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques in myomectomy. Mechanism: Uterine leiomyomas, commonly known as fibroids, are benign tumors affecting women of reproductive age....

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Main Authors: Kyle G. Alexander, Sum-Yu C. Lee, Christien N. Haddad, Vasilios Tanos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IMR Press 2024-06-01
Series:Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Online Access:https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/51/7/10.31083/j.ceog5107151
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author Kyle G. Alexander
Sum-Yu C. Lee
Christien N. Haddad
Vasilios Tanos
author_facet Kyle G. Alexander
Sum-Yu C. Lee
Christien N. Haddad
Vasilios Tanos
author_sort Kyle G. Alexander
collection DOAJ
description Objective: This narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding fertility outcomes associated with different minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques in myomectomy. Mechanism: Uterine leiomyomas, commonly known as fibroids, are benign tumors affecting women of reproductive age. Surgery, particularly minimally invasive techniques, represents a definitive treatment for symptomatic fibroids, with preservation of fertility being a key consideration. MIS myomectomies, including laparoscopic, robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM), and mini-laparotomy, are preferred over open laparotomy due to reduced morbidity and quicker recovery times. However, these procedures still carry risks, including uterine scar dehiscence and subsequent effects on pregnancy outcomes. Findings in Brief: Studies reviewed generally indicate favorable pregnancy outcomes across different MIS techniques, although with varying success rates. Conventional laparoscopy and RALM show promising pregnancy rates, akin to those observed with laparotomy. Nonetheless, higher numbers of fibroids removed during RALM correlate with increased rates of preterm births. The literature comparing laparotomy to laparoscopy, as well as across various MIS techniques, presents inconsistent results, likely due to the complexity and heterogeneity of fibroids, which can significantly impact fertility outcomes. Conclusions: Overall, myomectomy, irrespective of the approach employed, is generally associated with favorable fertility outcomes. While there are variations in success rates among different MIS techniques, no significant differences in the mode of delivery or the incidence of complications such as uterine rupture and adhesion formation are noted. Clinicians should consider individual patient factors when selecting the most appropriate technique for myomectomy. Ongoing advancements in surgical technology are likely to impact the landscape of MIS myomectomy and its implications for fertility outcomes. Further research and meta-analyses are warranted to clarify differences between MIS techniques and optimize patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-62b4eb6d71ba4c64832d310432b871fc2025-08-20T03:03:46ZengIMR PressClinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology0390-66632024-06-0151715110.31083/j.ceog5107151S0390-6663(24)02380-7Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current EvidenceKyle G. Alexander0Sum-Yu C. Lee1Christien N. Haddad2Vasilios Tanos3Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2408 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2408 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2408 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Basic and Clinical Sciences, University of Nicosia Medical School, 2408 Nicosia, CyprusObjective: This narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence regarding fertility outcomes associated with different minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques in myomectomy. Mechanism: Uterine leiomyomas, commonly known as fibroids, are benign tumors affecting women of reproductive age. Surgery, particularly minimally invasive techniques, represents a definitive treatment for symptomatic fibroids, with preservation of fertility being a key consideration. MIS myomectomies, including laparoscopic, robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM), and mini-laparotomy, are preferred over open laparotomy due to reduced morbidity and quicker recovery times. However, these procedures still carry risks, including uterine scar dehiscence and subsequent effects on pregnancy outcomes. Findings in Brief: Studies reviewed generally indicate favorable pregnancy outcomes across different MIS techniques, although with varying success rates. Conventional laparoscopy and RALM show promising pregnancy rates, akin to those observed with laparotomy. Nonetheless, higher numbers of fibroids removed during RALM correlate with increased rates of preterm births. The literature comparing laparotomy to laparoscopy, as well as across various MIS techniques, presents inconsistent results, likely due to the complexity and heterogeneity of fibroids, which can significantly impact fertility outcomes. Conclusions: Overall, myomectomy, irrespective of the approach employed, is generally associated with favorable fertility outcomes. While there are variations in success rates among different MIS techniques, no significant differences in the mode of delivery or the incidence of complications such as uterine rupture and adhesion formation are noted. Clinicians should consider individual patient factors when selecting the most appropriate technique for myomectomy. Ongoing advancements in surgical technology are likely to impact the landscape of MIS myomectomy and its implications for fertility outcomes. Further research and meta-analyses are warranted to clarify differences between MIS techniques and optimize patient outcomes.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/51/7/10.31083/j.ceog5107151minimally invasive surgerymyomectomyuterine leiomyomalaparoscopyrobotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy
spellingShingle Kyle G. Alexander
Sum-Yu C. Lee
Christien N. Haddad
Vasilios Tanos
Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
minimally invasive surgery
myomectomy
uterine leiomyoma
laparoscopy
robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy
title Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence
title_full Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence
title_fullStr Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence
title_full_unstemmed Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence
title_short Minimally Invasive Techniques in Myomectomy and Fertility Outcomes: A Narrative Review of the Current Evidence
title_sort minimally invasive techniques in myomectomy and fertility outcomes a narrative review of the current evidence
topic minimally invasive surgery
myomectomy
uterine leiomyoma
laparoscopy
robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy
url https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/51/7/10.31083/j.ceog5107151
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