Laparoscopic Intracapsular Myomectomy: Comparison of Single Versus Multiple Fibroids Removal. An Institutional Experience

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare single versus multiple laparoscopic myomectomy with an intracapsular method. Study Design: A total of 335 laparoscopic intracapsular myomectomies were compared. They were subdivided into two groups. Group I included 195 patients with myoma; group II, 140 patients with multiple myomas, 4-9 cm in diameter. Laparoscopic procedures were compared with respect to intraoperative complications, postoperative compliance, and general surgical feedback. Results were analyzed using SAS software (version 8), considering a P-value of < 0.05 as significant. Results: No differences (P > 0.05) between groups were observed with respect to the following: intraoperative blood loss (98 +/- 4.7 mL of group I versus 106 +/- 6.8 mL of group II), catheter inside pelvis for postsurgical drainage (40% versus 36.4% women), analgesic administration for the first 24 hours (41.5% versus 40% patients), postoperative fever after 24 hours (11.2% versus 9.2% women), postoperative therapeutic antibiotics administration (8.2% versus 6.4% patients), and hospitalization and postoperative ultrasound (US) intramyometrial hematoma detection (6.6% versus 5.7% of group II). The only surgical statistical difference (P < 0.05) was in the mean total laparoscopic time (60 +/- 7.2 minutes for group I versus 97 +/- 8.9 minutes for group II). Conclusions: Intracapsular laparoscopic myomectomies, performed in the same session on a single or on multiple fibroids, seem to preserve myometrial integrity and allow the restoration of uterine scar, with few early and late surgical complications.