Background: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusions: 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.