title: A prospective study of laparoscopy versus minilaparotomy in the treatment of uterine myomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Comparison between laparoscopy and minilaparotomy in the management of intramural and/or subserosal uterine myomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred-thirteen women with at least one subserosal and/or intramural uterine myoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laparoscopy and minilaparotomy myomectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We performed 213 myomectomies, 120 by minilaparotomy and 93 by laparoscopy. Median number of myomas removed per patient was 1.4 (range 1-3) and 2.9 (range 1-5) in the laparoscopy and minilaparotomy groups, respectively (p<.05). The estimated blood loss was not significant in either of the two groups, and no intraoperative or early postoperative complications were registered. The median operating time was 62.3 minutes (range 45-80 min) and 61.6 minutes (range 40-90 min) in the laparoscopy and minilaparotomy groups, respectively (p=NS). Median duration of ileus was 1.4 days (range 1-2) in the laparoscopy group and 1.3 days (range 1-2 days) in the minilaparotomy group (p=NS). Median length of hospital stay was 2.3 days (range 2-3 days) and 2.8 days (range 2-3 days) in the laparoscopy and minilaparotomy groups, respectively (p=NS.).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Myomectomy by minilaparotomy can be considered a minimally invasive alternative to laparoscopy in the surgical management of intramural and subserosal myomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fanfani
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagotti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ercoli
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malzoni
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scambia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*