Study Objective Demonstrate surgical approach for a large 13 cm broad ligament fibroid, highlighting retroperitoneal anatomy and a novel method to decrease blood loss. Design A step-by-step explanation of the surgery using video (instructive video). Setting University hospital. Patients or Participants A 34-year-old woman with a 13 cm broad ligament fibroid who desires future fertility. Interventions We review entry into the retroperitoneum, more specifically, the pararectal space in a case with normal anatomy. Then, we present a case with a large broad ligament fibroid and systematically review the patient's MRI prior to showing surgical footage. The retroperitoneal dissection is initiated by transecting the round ligament and dissection continues parallel to the infundibulopelvic (IP) ligament until the psoas muscle and external iliac are identified. Blunt dissection is used to find the ureter on the medial leaflet of the broad ligament. Ureterolysis is performed given the extent of invasion by the fibroid. The pararectal space is then entered using a push and spread technique. Continued dissection laterally in the areolar tissue is used to localize the uterine artery at its origin. Once the uterine artery is skeletonized, a bulldog clamp is carefully placed to decrease blood flow. The fibroid is dissected in a clockwise fashion, starting from our dissection in the retroperitoneal space. The distal uterine artery, which is wedged between the uterus and the fibroid, is carefully dissected. Once the fibroid is completely separated from the uterine artery and surrounding tissue, the bulldog clamp is removed and vascular supply is restored. Measurements and Main Results EBL during resection of the highlighted fibroid was minimal, with overall EBL 100mL after dissection of several additional fibroids. The patient's symptoms improved and fertility was preserved. Conclusion Using retroperitoneal dissection and bulldog clamps, safe dissection of large broad ligament fibroids can be accomplished with minimal blood loss. Demonstrate surgical approach for a large 13 cm broad ligament fibroid, highlighting retroperitoneal anatomy and a novel method to decrease blood loss. A step-by-step explanation of the surgery using video (instructive video). University hospital. A 34-year-old woman with a 13 cm broad ligament fibroid who desires future fertility. We review entry into the retroperitoneum, more specifically, the pararectal space in a case with normal anatomy. Then, we present a case with a large broad ligament fibroid and systematically review the patient's MRI prior to showing surgical footage. The retroperitoneal dissection is initiated by transecting the round ligament and dissection continues parallel to the infundibulopelvic (IP) ligament until the psoas muscle and external iliac are identified. Blunt dissection is used to find the ureter on the medial leaflet of the broad ligament. Ureterolysis is performed given the extent of invasion by the fibroid. The pararectal space is then entered using a push and spread technique. Continued dissection laterally in the areolar tissue is used to localize the uterine artery at its origin. Once the uterine artery is skeletonized, a bulldog clamp is carefully placed to decrease blood flow. The fibroid is dissected in a clockwise fashion, starting from our dissection in the retroperitoneal space. The distal uterine artery, which is wedged between the uterus and the fibroid, is carefully dissected. Once the fibroid is completely separated from the uterine artery and surrounding tissue, the bulldog clamp is removed and vascular supply is restored. EBL during resection of the highlighted fibroid was minimal, with overall EBL 100mL after dissection of several additional fibroids. The patient's symptoms improved and fertility was preserved. Using retroperitoneal dissection and bulldog clamps, safe dissection of large broad ligament fibroids can be accomplished with minimal blood loss.
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