Treatment of uterine fibroid with triptorelin before hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of pretreatment with triptorelin on uterine fibroid before abdominal hysterectomy.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.