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Abstract
Objectives
Transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (TLPMA) is a minimally invasive alternative technique with low risk, fast recovery and few side effects. We aimed to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of TLPMA for treating adenomyosis.
Methods
We included 79 patients with symptomatic adenomyosis who underwent TLPMA and 44 patients with adenomyosis who received the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). We evaluated the role of laparoscopy in TLPMA as well as the short- and long-term effects of TLPMA.
Results
The mean age of the 79 patients who underwent TLPMA was 41.8 years. There was no difference in the mean age between the TLPMA and LNG-IUS groups. Laparoscopy could help to separate pelvic adhesions, provide a wide antenna path, and observe the uterine surface and bowel movement. No major complications were found in patients who underwent TLPMA. There was a significant post-treatment reduction in both the uterine and lesion volumes (p < 0.001). After a median follow-up duration of 36 months (range: 1–60 months), the uterine and lesion volumes remained stable. Additionally, most patients remained without dysmenorrhea, which confirms the long-term efficacy of TLPMA.
Conclusions
TLPMA is a feasible, minimally invasive technique for the treatment of adenomyosis, which significantly decreases the uterine and lesion volumes and has a good long-term effect.
Acknowledgments
We thank all participants recruited for this study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability
The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary materials.