Laparoscopic myomectomy in the infertile woman.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcome of the procedure we developed for laparoscopic myomectomy with outcomes reported in the literature for open and laparoscopic myomectomies.

DESIGN

Prospective trial.

SETTING

Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL.

PATIENTS

Forty-one consecutive infertile women who met selection criteria that were based on our experience with 15 initial laparoscopic myomectomies.

INTERVENTION

Laparoscopic myomectomy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Laparoscopic myomectomy was attempted in 41 and completed successfully in 40 women with minimal blood loss. Beyond the single conversion there were no major complications. The pregnancy rate within a year of the procedure was 75% (30 women) and viable term delivery rate was 65% (26 women).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy and viable term delivery rates compared favorably with those after open myomectomy procedures. Laparoscopic myomectomy was effective for selected patients experiencing infertility.