Risk of Recurrence and Reintervention After Uterine-Sparing Interventions for Symptomatic Adenomyosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To evaluate the risk of recurrence and reintervention after uterine-sparing treatment options for symptomatic adenomyosis, including adenomyomectomy, uterine artery embolization (UAE), and image-guided thermal ablation. DATA SOURCES: We searched electronic databases such as Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar from January 2000 to January 2022. The search was conducted using the following search terms: “adenomyosis,” “recurrence,” “reintervention,” “relapse,” and “recur.” METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: All studies that described the risk of recurrence or reintervention after uterine-sparing interventions for symptomatic adenomyosis were reviewed and screened according to the eligibility criteria. Recurrence was defined as the reappearance of symptoms (painful menses or heavy menstrual bleeding) after significant or complete remission, or the reappearance of adenomyotic lesions confirmed by ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: The outcome measures were presented as the frequency with percentage and pooled with 95% CI. A total of 42 studies (single-arm retrospective and prospective studies) that represented 5,877 patients were included. The recurrence rates after adenomyomectomy, UAE, and image-guided thermal ablation were 12.6% (95% CI 8.9–16.4%), 29.5% (95% CI 17.4–41.5%), and 10.0% (95% CI 5.6–14.4%), respectively. The reintervention rates were 2.6% (95% CI 0.9–4.3%), 12.8% (95% CI 7.2–18.4%), and 8.2% (95% CI 4.6–11.9%) after adenomyomectomy, UAE, and image-guided thermal ablation, respectively. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed, and the heterogeneity was reduced in several analyses. CONCLUSION: Uterine-sparing techniques were successful in treating adenomyosis with low reintervention rates. Uterine artery embolization had higher recurrence and reintervention rates than other techniques; however, patients treated with UAE had larger uteri and larger adenomyosis, indicating that selection bias may influence these results. More randomized controlled trials with a larger population are needed in the future. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42021261289.