Minilaparotomic myomectomy for large symptomatic uterine myomas: a prospective study.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the feasibility, morbidity, and reproductive performance of fertile women undergoing minilaparotomic myomectomy for large uterine myomas. METHODS: Ninety-nine consecutive women with symptomatic myomas underwent myomectomy through a skin incision ≤8 cm. Operative, postoperative and reproductive data were prospectively collected. RESULTS: Median (range) age and Body Mass Index (BMI) were 37 years (23-44) and 23 (18-43), respectively. Median (range) myoma diameter was 7 cm (4-20), and the median number of myomas removed was 1 (range 1-31). Myomas were intramural in 76 (76%) cases. Median incision length was 7 cm (range 4-13) and median duration of surgery was 70 min (range 40-180). Operative time and length of skin incision were not correlated with the progressive number of interventions. An incision larger than 8 cm was necessary in 7 (7%) patients and the length of incision was significantly correlated with the diameter of the largest myoma (P<0.01). The feasibility of minilaparotomy was significantly reduced when the diameter of the largest myoma was >12 cm (P<0.05). Operative time was significantly longer in patients having >1 myoma (P<0.05). Three (3%) patients underwent blood transfusion. Median (range) postoperative stay was 2 days (range 2-12). Fever occurred in 8 (8%) patients, and wound complications in 5 (5%). CONCLUSION: Myomectomy by minilaparotomy is a feasible procedure in more than 90% of unselected patients with large symptomatic myomas. Feasibility is questionable when the myoma is >12 cm. This technique is a mini-invasive option to treat patients with large and multiple myomas.