Laparoscopic blockage of uterine artery and myomectomy

Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of laparoscopic coagulation or blockage of the uterine arteries and myomectomy in treating symptomatic myomas. A total of 142 women with symptomatic fibroids warranting surgical treatment and wanting to retain their uteri were treated by laparoscopic coagulation or blocking of the uterine arteries and myomectomy. Most of the 142 patients had multi-myomas of the uterus, as intramural myomas (54), subserous myomas (65), and submucosal myomas (25). The number of myomas in each patient varied from 1 to 4. The size of the myomas in all patients ranged from 2 to 12 cm. In 86 cases (60.4%) the uterine wall was sutured in one layer. Average operating time was 124.2 +/- 33.1 min, and average blood loss was 117.8 +/- 48.6 ml. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.8 +/- 1.2 days. All patients underwent technically successful laparoscopic coagulation or blocking of uterine arteries and myomectomy without intraoperative complications. The mean follow-up time was 16.2 months (16-26). Symptomatic improvement was achieved in all patients. Five patients experienced recurrence of myomas. Laparoscopic coagulation or block of the uterine arteries and myomectomy appears to be a safe, effective, and promising new method for treating symptomatic uterine myomas.