title: Minilaparotomy vs laparotomy for uterine myomectomies: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and applicability of the minilaparotomy technique in abdominal myomectomies and to compare it with traditional laparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 99 women, suffering from symptomatic uterine myomas, to be operated for myomectomy. Through computer randomization, 55 women were assigned to the study group (minilaparotomy) and 44 women to the control group (traditional laparotomy). Women assigned to the study group were operated using a recently modified minilaparotomy technique. Statistical evaluation was performed through Mann-Whitney U test, chi2 test, Student's t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Duration of surgery, time for spontaneous recanalization and days of postoperative hospital stay were significantly lower in the study group, as well as treatment satisfaction reported by the patients (p<0.05). Moreover, each minilaparotomy operation ended by saving 620 Euro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minilaparotomy seems to be a valid alternative to the removal of symptomatic uterine myomas. The objective and subjective advantages in operated patients, as well as the reduction in sanitary costs are underlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. luigi.benassi@unipr.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benassi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benassi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Accorsi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Angeloni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Besagni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009214:Myoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*