1. Introduction

Fibroids are smooth muscle tumors, that develop within the myometrium, but occasionally can be seen arising from cervix, broad ligament and even ovaries. The incidence of cervical fibroids is 1-2% [1,2]. The presence of cervical fibroid in the absence of an abnormal uterus is a rare finding. We report a rare case of a very large cervical fibroid which was optimally managed laparoscopically, although we did laparotomy to remove the mass in toto owing to the high suspicion of sarcomatous changes within the fibroid. Management of such large fibroid laparoscopically is technically demanding and requires exceptional skills.

2. Case

A 47-year-old lady para 2live 2, presented at Sir Ganga Ran Hospital with complaints of pain abdomen and menorrhagia since last 10 years. Pain abdomen was dull aching in nature and aggravated during her menstrual periods. Bleeding per vaginum was associated with passage of clots and was not responding to medical management. There was no history of any chronic illness or surgery. On examination, patient was average built, her vitals were stable and pallor was present. Her general, cardiovascular and central nervous system examination was within normal limits. On per abdominal examination, a large firm mass was palpable corresponding to 34 weeks gravid uterus with its lower pole not palpable. The mobility of the mass was absent owing to its huge size, the margins of the mass was well defined and it was non-tender. No free fluid was appreciable per abdomen. On per speculum examination, cervix could not be seen and vagina was healthy. On per vaginum examination, cervix was felt effaced over the mass and pulled towards the symphysis pubis and mass was felt arising from the posterior lip of the cervix. Uterus could not be felt separately from the mass and fornices were pushed down, pouch of douglas was free. Per rectal examination revealed the same mass and rectal mucosa was free with no nodularity. Her investigations were, haemoglobin 8.9 mg%, total leucocyte count 7600, platelet count 2.69 lakhs, blood urea nitrogen 6.7 mg%, serum creatinine 0.5 mg/dl, CA125 18.09 U/ml, liver function test and coagulation profile within normal limits.

Patient came with an ultrasound abdomen done in 2009 for the same complaint and its findings were of a fibroid of 3.3 × 2.3 cm in upper part of the posterior lip of the cervix and a bulky uterus, but no active management was done for it then. A recent ultrasound whole abdomen was then done as patient presented to us and was suggestive of normal upper abdomen organs and a large mildly enhancing solid mass lesion of size 22 × 16 × 18 cm in right adnexa arising from the level of pelvic floor and extending up to the level of L3 vertebrae, displacing uterine fundus to the left side, ileocecal region, terminal illeal loops superiorly and rectosigmoid laterally causing extrinsic compression on the right ureter. No evidence of fat or calcification noted within the mass. Right ovary could not be seen due to the mass, but left ovary was seen and normal looking. No free fluid was seen. The impression of broad ligament fibroid or an ovarian mass was made on the ultrasound evaluation. MRI pelvis was then done for further and optimistic evaluation prior to taking the patient for surgery. A large mass of 25 × 19 × 14 cm was noted arising from the posterior wall of the cervix with foci of necrosis in the periphery of the lesion displacing the uterus to the left and anteriorly. The endometrium and myometrium appeared normal. No evidence of pelvic lymphadenopathy was noted neither any evidence of free fluid. Patient was admitted, pre-anaesthetic check-up done, adequate blood arranged and after written informed consents, patient was taken up for laparoscopic hysterectomy.

After, general anaesthesia and patient positioning, preoperative finding were confirmed and surface marking was done as seen in Figure 1. Pneumoperitoneum was created via palmer’s point and 5 mm trocar introduced under vision with the help of 5 mm 30-degree scope and camera head attached to it. Further trocars were placed as per the need and availability of the space. The intraoperative findings were a large mass arising from the depth of the pelvis, extending till 4 inches short of xiphisternum and adjourning right lateral abdominal wall deviating uterus to the left side. Uterus was bulky, left adnexa was normal looking, right ovary was lying adjacent to the mass and right tube was stretched over it. Diluted vasopressin in the ratio of 1:10 was injected in the uterus to devascularize it. Left infundibulopelvic and round ligament was desiccated and divided. Left sided broad ligaments were desiccated and divided. Bladder dissected free from lower uterine segment as seen in Figure 2. Left uterine artery skeletonized and endosutured. Right sided infundibulopelvic and round ligament were approached with difficulty (Figure 3) after mobilising the large fibroid, desiccated and divided. Fibroid was sequentially separated from all its attachments, while remaining within the capsule at all time. Right uterine artery then skeletonized and endosutured.

Vaginal vault then opened circumferentially. In view of the large size of the mass leading to a high suspicion of sarcomatous changes within the fibroid and thus avoiding morcellation, laparotomy was done to deliver the mass in toto along with the uterus and bilateral adnexa. Vault was then sutured and haemostasis achieved. The weight of the fibroid (Figure 4) was 4 kilograms measured post operatively. Total blood loss estimated was around 500 ml. 2 units PCV and 2 units FFP were transfused postoperatively. Deep venous thromboprophylaxis was given postoperatively for 5 days. Patient had a satisfactory recovery and was discharged on postoperative day sixth. The histopathology report was uterus with secretory endometrium and myometrium unremarkable. The larger piece measured 23 × 23 × 12 cm and showed lower part of uterus along with cervical lip in which a large fibroid was attached suggestive of a cervical fibroid. Outer surface of the fibroid showed multiple bosselations. Cut surface of the fibroid showed areas of haemorrhage. Bilateral adnexa revealed no significant abnormality.

Figure 1: Surface marking of mass prior to starting laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Figure 2: Bladder dissected free from lower uterine surface.

Figure 3: Right infundibulopelvic ligament being desiccated and divided.

Figure 4: Huge cervical fibroid and the uterus post operatively.

3. Discussion

Fibroids are common benign tumors of the uterus and are composed of muscles and fibrous connective tissue. The incidence of these tumors is around 20-25% [3]. Most of the fibroids are limited to the body of the uterus, but only 1-2% arise from the cervix. Most cervical fibroids are supravaginal in location, but can be vaginal as well. These fibroids cab be placed anteriorly, posteriorly, central or lateral and in few cases these can be multiple. These fibroids present as retention of urine, constipation, foul smelling vaginal discharge, as mass coming out of vagina [4, 5] lump abdomen or with pressure changes. The large size of cervical fibroid leads to distortion of anatomy of ureter, bladder and uterine vessels and thus increasing risk of injury to these structures. Also, it’s seen that the presence of cervical fibroid without any uterine abnormality is a rare finding. So, correct knowledge of the altered anatomy and proper technique is a key to success in such cases. Use of laparoscopy in these cases is technically demanding requiring good team effort and exceptional surgeon’s skills. Our case presented as pain abdomen with menorrhagia and the mass abdomen was corresponding to 34 weeks gravid uterus and MRI pelvis confirmed the diagnosis of large cervical fibroid. We did laparoscopic hysterectomy followed by laparotomy to remove the fibroid. In our case it helped in decreasing blood loss and also helped in limiting the size of the incision to deliver out the mass in toto owing to the high suspicion of sarcomatous changes within. There was no injury to adjoining vital organs like bladder, ureter or bowel loops as seen in other similar cases reported previously. The procedure was completed in 3 hours and estimated blood loss was 500ml and weight of the cervical fibroid was 4 kg.

In a series of cases reported by Kentaro Nakayama et al6, in case 1 patient was a 51-year-old, P2L2 with MRI suggestive of 108 × 103 × 90 mm cervical fibroid on left side of posterior wall of uterine cervix. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy was done. Blood loss was 1380 ml and weight of extracted uterus was 1.1kg. in case 2 , patient was 51 year old, P3L2 (previous 2 caesareans) and MRI revealed a cervical fibroid of 60.3 × 52.4 × 57.8 mm on left size of the posterior wall of uterine cervix and another fibroid of 6.3 × 52.4 × 57.8mm on median line of anterior wall. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) was done, blood loss in this case was minimal and weight of the excised uterus was 501.5 gm. In other case reported, patient was 60 year old, P3L2 and on MRI cervical fibroid was 110 × 105 × 85mm. TLH was done, blood loss was 400 ml and the weight of the uterus was 605gm. In all these case vesicouterine ligament was dissected which helped in safely separating ureter from cervix. Bilateral pelvic walls were dissected from ipsilateral sides to avoid cervical fibroid hindering movement of instruments. It has been seen that the rate of conversion to laparotomy was 4.2-9.7% and in these cases a smaller incision in the abdominal wall was necessary to extract the specimen in 21% of the cases [7].

In another case reported by John C Ekweani et al. [8], the lady was 45-year-old, who had history of heavy menstrual bleeding and her examination revealed a huge cervical fibroid of 21 weeks. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. Intraoperative findings were of a large cervical fibroid of 20 × 13 cm. ureteric injury was encountered and managed thereafter. Blood loss was 600 ml.

Sunil Kumar Samal et al. [9] reported a case of a cervical fibroid corresponding to 28 weeks size gravid uterus in a 48-year-old female. Laparotomy was done and was suggestive of a huge central cervical fibroid of 25 × 20 × 15 cm, total abdominal hysterectomy was proceeded with uneventful postoperative period. Similarly, B Kavitha et al. [10] reported a case of a large central cervical fibroid of 20 weeks size. Transection of right ureter, accidental ligation of left ureter and bladder injury was encountered in this case while proceeding to total abdominal hysterectomy and was managed with the help of urologists.

So, to conclude cervical fibroids are a rarity as far as location of fibroids in other parts of the uterus are concerned. Consequently, surgical management also present as a technical challenge. Distorted anatomy leading to difficulty in identification of uterine vessels and ureter, limited visual field and space due to huge size of the mass along with poor uterine mobility, increases the difficulty level while performing laparoscopic hysterectomy in such cases and thus require good surgical skills.

References

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