Aim: To examine the safety and appropriateness of uterine myomectomy during cesarean section.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 97 patients who underwent myomectomy during cesarean section and 60 patients who had uterine myomas, but underwent cesarean section only, between January 2000 and December 2007. Based on the patients' medical records, we conducted an analysis of the characteristics of the uterine myomas, hematologic changes that occurred between the preoperative and postoperative phases, complications, and length of hospital stay.
Results: Changes in hemoglobin values between the preoperative and postoperative phases, indicating the degree of intraoperative bleeding, were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two groups (cesarean myomectomy group [1.2 +/- 1.2 g/dL] versus control group [1.1 +/- 1.3 g/dL]). There were no significant differences in the frequency of blood transfusion, incidence of postoperative fever, duration of surgery, and length of hospital stay between the two groups. In patients who received a blood transfusion intraoperatively, the increased amount was added to the hemoglobin changes between the preoperative and postoperative phases (adjusted value). The difference in the adjusted value of hemoglobin change did not reach statistical significance (cesarean myomectomy group [1.3 +/- 1.2 g/dL] versus control group [1.2 +/- 1.1 g/dL]). When the size of the uterine myoma exceeded 6 cm, the operative time was longer in the cesarean myomectomy group.
Conclusion: Cesarean myomectomy is a safe surgical option with no significant complications if performed by an experienced practitioner.