Study objective: Transvaginal extraction is a feasible method to remove surgical specimen. In this study, we aim to report our experience with in-bag transvaginal specimen retrieval after laparoscopic myomectomy over the past 15 years.
Design: Single-center retrospective analysis.
Setting: Academic hospital.
Patients: Women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy from January 2005 to April 2021.
Intervention: Posterior colpotomy and in-bag transvaginal extraction of the surgical specimen.
Measurements and main results: We collected and analyzed data about patients' characteristics, main indication for surgery, and intra- and postoperative (within 30 days) complications.
Results: A total of 692 women underwent transvaginal specimen retrieval after laparoscopic myomectomy (mean largest myoma diameter: 6.64 ± 2.21 cm; mean specimen weight: 177 ± 140 g; mean operative time: 84.1 ± 37.1 minutes; mean blood loss: 195 ± 191 mL). Within 30-days, we reported the following colpotomy-related complications: a total of 4 cases (0.6%) of vaginal bleeding, 3 of which resolved spontaneously (1 case required readmission with new colporrhaphy under general anesthesia), and 2 cases (0.3%) of vaginal pain, with no underlying cause identified on physical examination and pelvic ultrasound. Specimen weight was positively correlated with longer operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay.
Conclusion: Posterior colpotomy and in-bag transvaginal extraction can be considered a feasible option for retrieval of surgical specimens after laparoscopic myomectomy.
Keywords: Complications; In-bag transvaginal extraction; Laparoscopic myomectomy; Posterior colpotomy; Surgical specimen retrieval.
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