title: A prospective short-term evaluation of uterine leiomyomas treated by myomectomy through conventional laparotomy or ultraminilaparotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the short-term therapeutic outcome of myomectomy through conventional laparotomy in the treatment of uncomplicated uterine myomas compared with myomectomy through ultraminilaparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled, nonrandomized clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated tertiary care referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirteen patients with symptomatic and uncomplicated uterine myomas warranting surgical treatment, who expressed a strong desire to retain their uterus. Seventy-two patients underwent myomectomy by laparotomy and 41 by ultraminilaparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Myomectomy through laparotomy or ultraminilaparotomy access.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome was measured by comparing blood loss, need for blood transfusion, operative time, postoperative febrile morbidity, time of flatus passage after operation, and postoperative pain (visual analogue scale score and anesthesia use) in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  General characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. There were no statistical differences in mean operative time, blood loss, febrile morbidity, insurance pay, and therapeutic efficacy (symptom relief) between the two groups. However, postoperative recovery seemed to be better and more rapid in the ultraminilaparotomy group compared with that in the laparotomy group, including rapid and early bowel movement, lower scores on the visual analogue scale, and shortened postoperative hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the superiority of ultraminilaparotomy in treating uncomplicated uterine myomas, compared with laparotomy, during this 1-year short-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo-Chang
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Pi-Lin
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Kuan-Chong
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Wen-Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wei-Min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Peng-Hui
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*