ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the data for 110 LM preformed at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between July 2003 and July 2006. We reviewed their clinical charts and the operative and anesthetic records, and analyzed data on the patients' age, parity, previous operative history, preoperative indication, the diameter of the largest myoma, operating time, number of the removed myoma, hospital stay, change of the hemoglobin concentration from preoperative to postoperative day 1, concomitant procedures, histopathological reports, and complications. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 35.7+/-5.8 years, the mean parity was 0.8+/-0.9, and 26 (23%) patients had a previous operative history. The most common operative indication was a palpable abdominal mass (46 patients, 41.9%), followed by chronic pelvic pain (32 patients, 29.0%), abnormal uterine bleeding (24 patients, 21.8%), urinary frequency (7 patients, 6.4%), and infertility (1 patient, 0.9%). The mean operating time was 82.9+/-30.8 minutes, and the mean diameter of the largest myoma was 7.1+/-2.3 cm. The heaviest of the removed myoma weighed 795 gm. The mean change of the hemoglobin concentration was 2.2+/-1.1 g/dL, and the mean hospital stay was 3.5+/-1.4 days. Postoperatively, transfusions were done 10% (11 cases) of patients, and 2 cases of paralytic ileus and a case of subcutaneous emphysema were noted. Conversion rate to laparotomy was 0.9% (1 case). CONCLUSION: LM for various sized myomas can be performed successfully and effectively by decreasing laparoconversion, if the surgical team and the laparoscopic surgeon are experienced and enhanced equipment is available.