CO2 laser myomectomy in an infertile population

Thirty-two infertility patients with uterine myomas underwent laser myomectomy with the CO2 laser. Twenty-four patients (75%) had persistent primary infertility, with 8 (25%) experiencing recurrent abortions. Twenty (63%) of the 32 conceived (14/24 [58%] with primary infertility and 6/8 [75%] with secondary infertility); 17 (59%) ultimately had a viable term pregnancy. The mean interval from surgery to pregnancy was 8.5 months. The risk factors of age, duration of infertility, size and number of fibroids, and menorrhagia did not appear to influence the success rate or increase the complication rate. The advantages of the CO2 laser for myoma surgery are decreased adhesion formation, improved hemostasis, precision of application and improved reproductive performance.