title: Laparoscopy versus minilaparotomy in women with symptomatic uterine myomas: short-term and fertility results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To retrospectively compare the feasibility, safety, morbidity, and pregnancy outcome of laparoscopy (LPS) and minilaparotomy (LPT) in the treatment of symptomatic uterine myomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, nonrandomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Advanced Gynecological Endoscopy Center, Malzoni Medical Center, Avellino, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  680 nonconsecutive patients with symptomatic uterine myomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  350 women underwent LPS, and 330 underwent LPT myomectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, pregnancy rate, and spontaneous abortion rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operative time was 63 +/- 21 minutes (95% CI, 48-143) in the LPS group and 57 +/- 23 minutes (95% CI, 38-121) in the LPT group. The mean length of hospital stay was statistically significantly greater in the LPT group (3.1 +/- 0.5; 95% CI, 1-5) than the LPS group (2.1 +/- 0.8; 95% CI, 1-4). The overall spontaneous pregnancy rate after myomectomy was 53%; the pregnancy rate after LPS myomectomy (56%) was not statistically significantly higher than the rate for LPT (50%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopy showed a lower morbidity than reported for the open approach and was characterized by less blood loss and a shorter postoperative hospitalization with an higher pregnancy rate. The operating time was not much longer in the laparoscopic group, and the intraoperative and postoperative complications appeared acceptable and not more than what is traditionally expected with the open approach.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Gynecological Endoscopy Center, Malzoni Medical Center, 83013 Avellino, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malzoni
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tinelli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iuzzolino
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Surico
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reich
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult