Abdominal myomectomy in women with very large uterine size.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate feasibility and safety of abdominal myomectomy with uterine myomas equal to or greater than 16 weeks in size.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Private hospital.


METHODS
Women with uterine fibroids equal to or larger than 16 weeks in size.


METHODS
Abdominal myomectomy performed by one surgeon between March 1, 1998-February 28, 2003.


METHODS
Operating time, estimated blood loss, transfusion, cell-saver use, number and weight of fibroids removed, complications, pathology, and hospital stay were evaluated.


RESULTS
Ninety-one abdominal myomectomies met criteria. Mean operating time was 236 minutes (range, 120-390 minutes). Mean estimated blood loss was 794 mL (range, 50-3,000 mL). Seven (8%) women required homologous transfusion. Complications included one bowel injury, one bladder injury, one wound infection, and one reoperation for incarcerated small bowel. No woman had a uterine sarcoma or adenocarcinoma, and none required conversion to hysterectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Large uterine size does not preclude abdominal myomectomy and the results compare favorably with prior studies of hysterectomy for similar size uteri.
West
Stanley
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Vincent's Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Ruiz
Reginald
R
Parker
William H
WH
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery