LAPAROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY

Fifty-six patients presenting with infertility (17); bleeding, pain, and pressure symptoms (32); and pelvic mass (seven) associated with leiomyomas were managed with laparoscopic myomectomy. Twenty-four second-look procedures were performed to evaluate healing and adhesion formation. Operative time ranged between 45-443 minutes (mean 157), estimated blood loss varied from 10-400 mL (mean 75), and the mean length of hospital stay was 1 day. Traditional morcellation was used initially but was abandoned because of long operating time; vaginal or abdominal removal (depending on size) proved more satisfactory. Three patients developed subcutaneous emphysema and one had febrile morbidity due to upper respiratory tract infection. There were no other complications. In 24 second-look procedures, adhesions were present in 16 subjects (66%). Twelve of 17 in the infertility group conceived (71%); all 39 patients with other complaints experienced satisfactory relief. There were no reoperations. When myomectomy is indicated, the laparoscopic approach appears to offer an alternative to abdominal surgery in selected patients.