OBJECTIVE: To report a large case series of parasitic myomas and to examine their causes, associations, and risk factors. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed on 12 patients found to have parasitic myomas between August 2000 and April 2008. The following data were systematically collected: surgery date; indications for surgery; number, dates, and types of prior surgeries; prior use of morcellation; and locations of parasitic myomas. Pathologic confirmation of all specimens was obtained. RESULTS: Laparoscopic evaluation confirmed the presence of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal myomas distinct from the uterus in 12 patients. Ten of the 12 patients had prior abdominal surgery. Eight patients had prior morcellation procedures; six performed laparoscopically, two performed by laparotomy. Three patients had multiple parasitic myomas, all of whom had a history of laparoscopic myomectomy with morcellation. The majority (14 of 15) of myomas were found in the pelvis, including two retroperitoneal myomas, one of which was embedded in the bladder. Six of 15 myomas were found along the gastrointestinal tract, and 1 of 15 was found in the upper abdomen. CONCLUSION: Parasitic myomas may occur spontaneously as pedunculated subserosal myomas lose their uterine blood supply and parasitize to other organs. More parasitic myomas may be iatrogenically created after surgery, particularly surgery using morcellation techniques. With increasing rates of laparoscopic procedures, surgeons should be aware of the potential for iatrogenic parasitic myoma formation, their likely increasing frequency, and intraoperative precautions to minimize occurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Women with endometriosis often report onset of symptoms during adolescence; however, the diagnosis of endometriosis is often delayed. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of adolescents who underwent laparoscopy for pelvic pain and were ...

To report the feasibility and safety of the use of a novel energy source that uses an electrically neutral beam of pure argon plasma for the laparoscopic management of endometriosis. In this prospective pilot study, 20 patients undergoing laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis were included. Characteristic endometriotic lesions throughout the pelvis were vaporized or resected using neutral argon plasma. Specimens were evaluated for the presence of endometriosis and thermal effects on tissue. The bases of the treated lesions were biopsied to determine whether residual endometriosis was present. Neutral argon plasma was used in 18 of the 20 patients for laparoscopic treatment of pelvic endometriosis. All biopsies confirmed complete vaporization or resection with no residual endometriosis at the base. Endometriosis was identified on pathology in all lesions excised. Thermal effects did not interfere with histologic analysis in any of the lesions. No complications occurred. Neutral argon plasma can be utilized as a multi-functional device that has vaporization, coagulation, and superficial cutting capacities with minimal thermal spread and acceptable outcomes. The use of neutral argon plasma appears to be efficacious and safe for the complete treatment of endometriotic implants.

Electromechanical morcellators have come under scrutiny with concerns about complications involving iatrogenic dissemination of both benign and malignant tissues. Although the rapidly rotating blade has resulted in morcellator-related vascular and visceral injuries, equally concerning are the multiple reports in the literature demonstrating seeding of the abdominal cavity with tissue fragmented such as leiomyomas, endometriosis, adenomyosis, splenic and ovarian tissues, and occult cancers of the ovaries and uterus. Alternatives to intracorporeal electric morcellation for tissue extirpation through the vagina and through minilaparotomy are feasible, safe, and have been shown to have comparable, if not superior, outcomes without an increased need for laparotomy. Intracorporeal morcellation within a containment bag is another option to minimize the risk of iatrogenic tissue seeding. Patient safety is a priority with balanced goals of maximizing benefits and minimizing harm. When intracorporeal electromechanical morcellation is planned, physicians should discuss the risks and consequences with their patients. Although data are being collected to quantify and understand these risks more clearly, a minimally invasive alternative to unenclosed intracorporeal morcellation is favored when available. It is incumbent on surgeons to communicate the risks of practices and devices and to advocate for continued improvement in surgical instrumentation and techniques.

Cesarean scar defect, also known as niche, isthmocele, uteroperitoneal fistula and uterine diverticulum, is a known complication after cesarean delivery. Due to the rising cesarean delivery rates, niche has become more common and can present as irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility, cesarean scar pregnancy and uterine rupture. Treatments for symptomatic cesarean scar defect vary and include hormonal therapy, hysteroscopic resection, vaginal or laparoscopic repair, and hysterectomy. We report on the safety and efficacy of our method of repairing cesarean scar defects in 27 patients without adverse outcomes: two-layer repair where the suture does not enter the uterine cavity. Our method of laparoscopic niche repair improves symptoms in nearly 77% of patients, restores fertility in 73% of patients, and decreases the time to conception.