Researchers at the National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine (Taipei, Taiwan; nymu-e.web.ym.edu.tw) conducted a cohort study that included 79 (35.3%) women in the LT group, 71 (31.7%) in the UMLT group, and 74 (33%) in the LA- UMLT group. All groups included women suffering from fewer than five uterine fibroids smaller than 8 cm in size. Outcomes were measured by comparing surgical parameters, immediate postoperative recovery, and therapeutic consequences.

The results showed that during a median follow-up of 52 months, similar recurrence rates were observed in the three groups. However, the two modified approaches had advantages not only in the surgical parameters, but also in postoperative recovery, compared to LT. The study was published early online in the December 25, 2009, issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

"The modified approaches, UMLT and LA-UMLT, are both safe, minimal-access options in place of LT in the successful management of uterine fibroids, since they have the advantage of rapid postoperative recovery,” concluded lead author Kuo-Chang Wen, M.D., and colleagues. "UMLT might be more feasible in the management of uterine fibroids, since it is an easy-to-perform technique. For uterine fibroids located laterally to posteriorly, LA-UMLT may be an alternative.”

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate from the smooth muscle layer (myometrium) and the accompanying connective tissue of the uterus. Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in females and typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. While most fibroids are asymptomatic, they can grow and cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Fibroids are often multiple and if the uterus contains too many leiomyomatas to count, it is referred to as uterine leiomyomatosis. Uterine fibroids are the major indication for hysterectomy.

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