In-bag abdominal manual morcellation versus contained power morcellation in laparoscopic myomectomy: a comparison of surgical outcomes and costs

BACKGROUND: To compare the surgical outcomes and costs of in-bag abdominal manual morcellation (AMM) and contained power morcellation (PM) in laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: A total of 61 patients were divided into two groups based on their myomectomy specimen extraction methods: AMM group (n = 33) and electromechanical contained PM group (n = 28). The surgical outcomes and cost were compared between groups. During AMM, a glove bag (in 27 patients) and an endo bag were used (in 6 patients) according to the myoma size. RESULTS: Morcellation time (18 ± 9.2 min vs. 37.4 ± 14.1 min) and total operation time (100 ± 24.3 min vs. 127 ± 33.1 min) were significantly lower in the AMM group compared to those in the PM group. Other surgical outcomes, which were similar between groups, included delta hemoglobin, length of hospital stay and VAS score at 12 and 24 h postoperatively. There were no per- or postoperative complications in both group with no conversion to laparotomy. One patient was transfused with two units of erythrocyte suspension postoperatively in the PM group. Sarcoma was not diagnosed in any of the cases in both group. CONCLUSION: The in-bag AMM or contained PM for specimen extraction resulted in similar outcomes in terms of delta hemoglobin, postoperative pain intensity (VAS score at 12 and 24 h postoperatively), the need for additional analgesia, and the length of hospital stay; however, total operation time and morcellation time were significantly shorter in the AMM group, indicating a prominent advantage. Significant cost-effectiveness is also a critical advantage of in-bag AMM compared to containing PM.