title: Combining the uterine depletion procedure and myomectomy may be useful for treating symptomatic fibroids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the therapeutic results of premyomectomy uterine depletion for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids, compared with myomectomy only.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled, clinical study without randomization.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred eighty-six women with symptomatic fibroids warranting surgical treatment and who wished to retain their uteri.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ligation of the uterine arteries was performed by either an abdominal or a laparoscopic approach before myomectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative improvement of symptoms, and recurrence rates of fibroids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 342 women with pathology-confirmed fibroids who were included in the study, 108 received myomectomy only (group I), and 234 underwent the uterine depletion procedure followed by myomectomy (group II). Average blood loss was 250 +/- 132.5 mL for group I and 50 +/- 26.9 mL for group II. For patients with menorrhagia, 79 (84%) of 94 women in group I experienced complete resolution; all of the 194 women (100%) in group II had resolution within 2 months of surgery. The recurrence rate of ultrasound-confirmed fibroids was 19.4% (21 of 108) in group I and 0% in group II. Of the sexually active patients who were not using contraception, 50% (49 of 98) in group I and 37.5% (15 of 40) in group II had a live birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the value of uterine depletion before myomectomy for the management of patients with symptomatic fibroids. The procedure reduced blood loss during the operation, resulted in complete resolution of fibroid-related menorrhagia, and has the potential to prevent fibroid recurrence. Fertility capacity was apparently not compromised by this new treatment approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital and Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. weiminliu50@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Wei-Min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chii-Ruey
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yi-Jen
authors.forename: Peng-Hui
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008026:Ligation; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*