Abdominal Myomectomy with CO 2 Laser

Abstract

The technique of CO₂ laser abdominal myomectomy is described, employing a hand-held laser coupled with the cluster of microsurgical techniques. In 220 patients, tumors ranged from 8 to 26 weeks gestational size. In the shortterm follow-up, the length of hospitalization (3 or 4 days) and the duration of disability (1 to 4 weeks) were significantly shortened as compared with standard myomectomy. Except for homologous blood transfusion in 18 percent of patients, no other blood replacement was necessary. There was no significant febrile morbidity in all patients postoperatively. In a long-term follow-up, of 60 patients who attempted pregnancy, 45 (75 percent) conceived. Only one patient to date experienced recurrence of tumors.