title: A multicenter randomized, controlled study comparing laparoscopic versus minilaparotomic myomectomy: short-term outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the laparoscopic and minilaparotomic approaches for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas treatment in terms of safety and feasibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three university departments of obstetrics and gynecology of Catanzaro, Rome, and Florence, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-six women wishing to conceive and candidate for myomectomy due to symptomatic uterine leiomyomas or unexplained infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Myomectomy through laparoscopic or minilaparotomic access.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surgical outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leiomyoma enucleation and hysterotomy suturing times were significantly shorter after minilaparotomic myomectomy, whereas the degree of surgical difficulty was significantly higher for the laparoscopic myomectomy. Intraoperative blood loss, variation in hemoglobin levels, quantity of pain control drugs used postoperatively, and hospitalization were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the minilaparotomic one. Our surgical outcomes were significantly influenced by specific investigational centers involved, and by leiomyoma dimensions and localizations. This last variable is the strongest predictor of surgical outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic and minilaparotomic approaches to myomectomy are two safe and minimally invasive surgical procedures. A careful evaluation of the dimensions and localizations of fibroids are needed to address to the right choice to the best approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. stefanopalomba@tin.it
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palomba
authors.forename: Errico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zupi
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falbo
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tolino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Manguso
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mattei
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zullo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*