Evaluation of perioperative morbidity associated with single and multiple myomectomy

The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications associated with single and multiple myomectomy. The sample was a retrospective cohort study of 206 women undergoing abdominal myomectomy at a teaching hospital in the UK between 1999 and 2003. Means of continuous variables were compared using t-tests with Satterthwaite's correction for unequal variance. It was found that menorrhagia was the presenting symptom in 72% of the women. Estimated blood loss was significantly more in multiple myomectomy compared with single myomectomy. Preoperative use of GnRH analogue and intraoperative tourniquet was used in both groups at the surgeon's discretion. Major complications were rare and three patients needed hysterectomy. There was no significant difference in hospital stay: 5.73 vs 5.98 days. It was concluded that myomectomy is a relatively safe operation with low incidence of serious morbidity. Haemorrhage is the commonest complication and more likely during multiple myomectomy.