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Myomectomy during early pregnancy
A C Wittich1, E R Salminen, M K Yancey
1Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 96859-5000, USA.
Military Medicine
|March 10, 2000
Summary
Early pregnancy abdominal pain can signal uterine leiomyoma. Surgical intervention for severe pain in leiomyoma patients during pregnancy is occasionally necessary.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are common benign tumors.
- Pregnancy can exacerbate symptoms or lead to complications with leiomyomas.
Observation:
- A 31-year-old primigravida presented with severe abdominal pain at 12 weeks gestation.
- Discrepancy between uterine size and gestational age was noted.
- Imaging revealed a large uterine mass alongside intrauterine gestation.
Findings:
- Exploratory surgery confirmed a large leiomyoma with degenerative changes.
- Myomectomy was performed, and the pregnancy continued successfully.
- Cesarean section at 37 weeks gestation resulted in a healthy infant.
Implications:
- Degenerative changes in uterine leiomyomas can cause significant pain during pregnancy.
- Surgical management, including myomectomy, may be required in select cases of intractable pain.
- This case highlights the importance of considering leiomyoma in pregnant patients with acute abdominal pain.