Smooth Muscle Cells in Pelvic Washings at Time of Benign Hysterectomy

Abstract

Study objective: To evaluate if smooth muscle cells can be detected in pelvic washings at the time of intact hysterectomy.

Design: A multicentered pilot cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Two academically affiliated tertiary referral centers.

Patients: Patients undergoing total hysterectomy for benign indications without morcellation by minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons were enrolled from January 2018 to July 2018.

Interventions: Pelvic washings were collected at 2 times during surgery: after abdominal entry and after vaginal cuff closure. Cell blocks were generated, and slides were stained using hematoxylin and eosin, smooth muscle actin, and desmin and interpreted by 1 expert pathologist at each institution.

Measurements and main results: Thirty-eight subjects were recruited; 3 subjects were excluded because of unplanned morcellation. Smooth muscle uterine cells were detected in 1 prewash specimen and 2 postwash specimens. The group with positive washings was noted to have longer procedure times (136 vs 114 minutes), lower blood loss (25 vs 86 mL), and higher uterine weight (242 vs 234 g) compared with negative washings group.

Conclusion: Tissue dissemination of uterine cells may be possible at the time of hysterectomy. Larger prospective studies are needed to better describe the incidence of and risk factors for tissue dissemination.

Keywords: Cytology; Hysterectomy; Morcellation; Tissue; Washings.