Bailliere's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology最新文献

It is often accepted that fibroids cause a variety of female reproductive problems, such as menorrhagia, pain, infertility, pregnancy loss and pregnancy complications. Understandably, therefore, many ‘successful’ medical or surgical interventions have been proposed. However, while fibroids are certainly commonly associated with these conditions, it remains unclear whether this is coincidental, because of the high prevalence of fibroids, or causal. In particular, this chapter explores the roles of fibroids in menorrhagia, discussing possible pathophysiological mechanisms and the utility of medical and surgical management. Similarly, the relationship between fibroids and infertility is examined, concluding that fibroids are not causative in the vast majority of cases and thereby questioning the effectiveness of myomectomy as a treatment for infertility. The use of hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women with existing fibroids is also discussed, concluding that this is generally safe and appropriate. In pregnancy, it is a commonly held tenet that uterine fibroids enlarge and that they are associated with various adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, placental abruption, fetal growth retardation and Caesarean section. This chapter evaluates the available evidence for this and concludes that, as with infertility, the role of fibroids has been exaggerated. Nonetheless, pregnancy management options are discussed.

The pathological appearances of uterine leiomyomas at macroscopic, histological and ultrastructural levels are described and illustrated. Features useful in the differential diagnosis from other uterine spindle cell lesions are included, and an outline is given of the variable features found in different studies of the effects of gonadotrophin hormone releasing hormone analogues on uterine leiomyomas.

Hysterectomy provides definitive treatment for uterine fibroids. Surgery should be offered to women whose fibroids are symptomatic; it is not indicated on the basis of uterine size alone. Myomectomy is an option for those wishing to preserve uterine function. The prospects for successful pregnancy following myomectomy are encouraging, although there is a significant risk of the later recurrence of fibroids. Laparotomy remains the most appropriate surgical approach for large fibroids, although vaginal, rather than abdominal, hysterectomy may be suitable for some women whose uteri do not exceed a 12–14 week gestation size. There is some evidence that the morbidity of abdominal procedures increases with very large uteri. Uterine shrinkage with GnRH analogues may facilitate vaginal hysterectomy and be useful prior to abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy for very large fibroids, although cost-effectiveness for its use with abdominal procedures has not been demonstrated.

Gonadotrophin hormone-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) therapy can induce a reduction in fibroid volume by up to 50% over a period of 3 months treatment. This effect may be beneficial in selected patients, prior to open or endoscopic myomectomy, to aid the surgical procedure by improving vision because of reduced blood loss and reduced uterine artery blood flow. Symptoms of excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and dysmenorrhoea will also be controlled. Long-term administration of GnRHa requires the use of concomitant add-back therapy, the optimal combination investigated to date being an oestrogen-progestogen continuous combined preparation.

Several medicines are emerging with the potential to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Anti-progesterone compounds seem particularly promising. These drugs have been widely used for nearly 20 years and are known to be safe; medical politics have prevented their proper investigation for uterine fibroids. In particular, the value of mifepristone, 50 mg per day for 3 months, seems particularly promising. Further investigation is clearly warranted for this medicine. Several anti-oestrogen compounds have recently become available and may also be useful for the medical treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. This includes the possibility of the use of selective oestrogen receptor modulators as well as the prospect of the use of pure anti-oestrogens. On a longer time frame, inhibitors of angiogenesis may be useful. These medicines would act upon the blood supply to uterine fibroids. Physicians also have an obligation to investigate scientifically any promising naturopathic treatment that appears to have possible activity for symptomatic fibroids.

Endoscopic surgery is able to replace most abdominal operations in the surgical treatment of uterine leiomyomas. The use of gonadotrophin hormone-releasing hormone analogues, arterial embolization, hysteroscopy, new techniques of morcellation, laparo-vaginal gasless laparoscopy and laparoscopic mini-laparotomy have enabled the avoidance of laparotomy incisions in most patients. The previous disadvantages of laparoscopy, namely a prolonged operating time, excessive bleeding and inadequate closure, have been overcome. Case and controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of endoscopy in fibroid treatment. The surgical techniques require advanced endoscopic training.

Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, are the most common tumours in women during the reproductive years. In most countries, they are the most frequent indication for hysterectomy in pre-menopausal women and therefore present a major public health issue. In this chapter, the epidemiology of these common tumours will be discussed. Also discussed will be the socio-economic impact on the community in terms of the overall cost of these tumours, as well as the social impact of uterine leiomyomas on the individual woman in terms of symptoms and the effect and consequences of these on her life.