Pregnancy following treatment of symptomatic myomas with laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels (LBCUV) has been employed for women with symptomatic uterine myomas, but its effect on subsequent pregnancy has not been characterized.


METHODS
Four-hundred and twenty-three women entered the study between March 1999 and December 2001. Of these, 142 women (33.6%) were under the age of 40 years at the time of LBCUV, 36 of whom (36/142, 25.3%) were sexually active without contraception. In a prospective study of 142 patients (<40 years old) undergoing LBCUV for symptomatic myomas, 15 women became pregnant (17 total pregnancies) and were evaluated by physical and ultrasound examinations.


RESULTS
The volume of the dominant myoma was 117.4 +/- 118.4 and 36.8 +/- 56.8 cm(3) before and after LBCUV respectively. Volume of the dominant myoma after pregnancy was 46.2 +/- 76.7 cm(3) (mean +/- SD). There was a significant difference in myoma volume before and after LBCUV (P = 0.002), but no significant difference in myoma volume when comparing post-partum size with post-LBCUV size (P = 0.269). Pregnancy outcomes included seven miscarriages in the first trimester and one premature rupture of membrane (PPROM). Although the other pregnancies were regarded as uncomplicated, only two women were delivered of normal neonates as the other seven pregnancies were terminated secondary to patient request.


CONCLUSIONS
The pregnancy and term pregnancy rates in sexually active women without contraception were 41.6% (15/36) and 5.6% (2/36) respectively. Because a relatively high rate (7/17, 41.2%) of early miscarriages was observed, we recommend that this procedure be employed only for women who do not desire additional children.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yi-Jen
YJ
Chen
Peng-Hui
PH
Wang
Chiou-Chung
CC
Yuan
Yuan-Kuei
YK
Yen
Ming-Jie
MJ
Yang
Heung-Tat
HT
Ng
Sheng-Ping
SP
Chang
Wei-Min
WM
Liu
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*