Isobaric (gasless) laparoscopic uterine myomectomy. An overview.

The aim of this review has been to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of isobaric (gasless) laparoscopic myomectomy using a subcutaneous abdominal wall lifting system, and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this technique in comparison with the conventional laparoscopic myomectomy using pneumoperitoneum. Laparoscopy using CO2 is more frequently employed for small or medium-sized myomas. Furthermore, multiple myomectomies (>or=3 myomas per patient) are performed rarely. Gasless laparoscopy permits the removal of large intramural myomas overcoming the difficulties associated with laparoscopic myomectomy using pneumoperitoneum. It appears to offer several advantages over conventional laparoscopy, such as elimination of the adverse effects and potential risks associated with CO2 insufflation; use of conventional laparotomy instruments that facilitate several steps of the procedure; reduced operative times and costs. Indeed, this procedure associates the advantages of laparoscopy and minimal access surgery with those of using the laparotomic instruments that are more reliable for uterine closure. The only advantage of the laparoscopy with pneumoperitoneum is the tamponade effect generated by the gas on the small vessels, thus reducing intraoperative bleeding. Laparoscopic myomectomy using CO2 remains the preferred minimally invasive approach for small and medium-sized myomas and when the total number of myomas removed does not exceed 2 or 3. Gasless laparoscopic myomectomy could be mainly indicated for removal of large intramural myomas (>or=8 cm) and/or for multiple myomectomies (>or=3 myomas per patient). Anyhow, further controlled studies are needed to evaluate entirely their respective indications.