Loong E P, Lo K W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Chin Med J (Engl). 1998 Jan;111(1):67-70.
To study the effects of pretreatment with triptorelin on uterine fibroid before abdominal hysterectomy.
Fifteen premenopausal Chinese women with symptomatic uterine fibroids requiring hysterectomy were recruited in the study. All patients received monthly intramuscular injections of 3.75 mg triptorelin for three months prior to abdominal hysterectomy.
There was significant reduction in the serum levels of oestradiol (68.6%), progesterone (95.6%) and luteinizing hormone (73.9%) and in uterine (45.0%) and fibroid (68.0%) volumes. The serum level of follicle-stimulating hormone and haemoglobin concentration were not significantly different.
Shrinkage of uterine fibroids can be achieved in women who are rendered hypoestrogenic with monthly injections of triptorelin for three months. This treatment modality may be of value prior to hysterectomy or myomectomy especially when the fibroid is large.
