Biologically-Based Notions About Uterine Bleeding During Myomectomy: Reasoning on Tradition and New Concepts

Abstract

Uterine fibroids represent a prevalent category of tumors encountered in females of reproductive age, may present as singular or multiple entities and can manifest a variety of symptoms, which can negatively affect women's daily lives. Pharmacological interventions may prove to be ineffective, occasionally costly, and associated with adverse effects. In instances where symptoms escalate in severity, myomectomy becomes a requisite as uterine-preserving operative therapy. Myomectomy can be performed utilizing laparoscopic, robotic, laparotomic, vaginal or hysteroscopic techniques. Given the abundant vascular supply to the myometrium, with blood being delivered to the uterus via the uterine arteries, myomectomy carries a considerable risk of significant hemorrhage during and subsequent to the surgical procedure, with the related complications. This paper aims to elucidate the conventional methodologies employed to mitigate hemorrhage during myomectomy and in the immediate postoperative phase, evaluating the effect of chemical interventions (such as vasopressin, octreotide, tranexamic acid, and uterotonics) alongside mechanical strategies (including uterine artery clamps, embolization, and tourniquets) to curtail bleeding during the myomectomy process. Furthermore, the potential of employing the intracapsular myomectomy technique without reliance on other traditional approaches was explored. This surgical method is grounded in the principles of the biological and anatomical characteristics of the fibroid, facilitating the enucleation of the myoma from its pseudocapsule. This anatomical entity, which is formed by the myoma throughout its development within the myometrium, enables the fibroid to be detached from the uterine musculature and supplies the requisite neurovascular support for its sustenance. Finally, the narrative review also shows how the intracapsular approach, which uses the fibroid's biology, reduces bleeding during myomectomy.