Laparoscopic myomectomy for symptomatic uterine myomas.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and techniques of laparoscopic myomectomy as treatment for symptomatic uterine myomas.


METHODS
Medline literature review and cross-reference of published data.


RESULTS
Results from randomized trials and clinical series have shown that laparoscopic myomectomy provides the advantages of shorter hospitalization, faster recovery, fewer adhesions, and less blood loss than abdominal myomectomy when performed by skilled surgeons. Improvements in surgical instruments and techniques allows for safe removal and multilayer myometrial repair of multiple large intramural myomas. Randomized trials support the use of absorbable adhesion barriers to reduce adhesions, but there is no apparent benefit of presurgical use of GnRH agonists. Pregnancy outcomes have been good, and the risk of uterine rupture is very low when the myometrium is repaired appropriately.


CONCLUSIONS
Advances in surgical instruments and techniques are expanding the role of laparoscopic myomectomy in well-selected individuals. Meticulous repair of the myometrium is essential for women considering pregnancy after laparoscopic myomectomy to minimize the risk of uterine rupture. Laparoscopic myomectomy is an appropriate alternative to abdominal myomectomy, hysterectomy, and uterine artery embolization for some women.
Hurst
Bradley S
BS
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. bhurst@carolinas.org
Matthews
Michelle L
ML
Marshburn
Paul B
PB
D017115:Catheter Ablation; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery*; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*
D016729:Leuprolide