Prevalence of Occult Leiomyosarcomas and Atypical Leiomyomas After Laparoscopic Morcellation of Leiomyomas in Reproductive-Age Women

STUDY QUESTION What is the prevalence of leiomyosarcomas and atypical leiomyomas after laparoscopic morcellation of fibroids in reproductive age women? SUMMARY ANSWER No case of leiomyosarcomas but seven atypical leiomyomas were found in 1216 subjects. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although uterine sarcoma is a rare entity affecting usually older peri- or post-menopausal women, the Food and Drug Administration discourages use of laparoscopic power morcellation of uterine fibroids. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Retrospective review of data extracted from a single center database of 1216 consecutive women who underwent laparoscopic morcellation of 2582 unsuspicious leiomyomas between June 2003 and December 2015 and were followed-up until December 2016. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS A total of 1216 women, aged 18-45 years, underwent laparoscopic morcellation of 2582 apparently benign leiomyomas by the same surgeon and all specimen slides were examined by the same experienced pathologist. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The prevalence of leiomyosarcomas and atypical leiomyomas was 0% (95% CI: 0-0.3%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.23-1.18%) (six atypical-bizarre and one mitotically active leiomyoma) respectively. In addition, there were identified 34 cases of adenomyomas, 45 leiomyomas with infarcts, 81 cellular leiomyomas and 133 degenerated leiomyomas. No morcellator-associated complication was recorded and none of the patients included in this study required conversion to laparotomy. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Retrospective and single referral center study design. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Laparoscopic morcellation of unsuspicious leiomyomas after careful preoperative work up seems to be safe in women of reproductive age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) None.