A comparison of three approaches for laparoscopic single-site (LESS) myomectomy: conventional, robotic, and hand assisted

The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and explore criteria for patient selection for three methods of LESS myomectomy: conventional (C-LESS), robotic-assisted (RA-LESS), and hand-assisted (HA-LESS). This was a retrospective case review of 72 patients with uterine myomas, conducted in a large academic tertiary care hospital between March 1, 2015, and November 7, 2018. LESS myomectomy via conventional, robotic, and hand-assisted routes. 43 patients underwent C-LESS, 15 underwent RA-LESS, and 14 underwent HA-LESS, with no conversions to open abdominal myomectomy. The operative outcomes were compared across the three approaches. The HA-LESS group had the largest mean number (HA: 6.9; C: 3.7; RA: 2.9, P=0.001), diameter (HA: 11.3 cm; C: 9.3 cm; RA: 7.1 cm, P=0.035), and weight (HA: 850.1 g; C: 320.7 g; RA: 181.1 g, P=0.003) of myomas removed per patient. The use of this method was also found to have a direct correlation with estimated preoperative uterine size (HA: 20.1 weeks; C: 16.2 weeks; RA: 12.0 weeks, P=0.001. Operative time and postoperative stay were found to be not statistically different across groups. We conclude that all three types of LESS myomectomy are feasible with comparable surgical outcomes. Most importantly, our findings indicate that hand assistance can be combined with C-LESS myomectomy for large or multi-fibroid uterus without compromising operating time or patient recovery. Notably, we found that uterine size could be a useful tool for the determination of the surgical approach.