Abstract
In a single-centre, randomized trial, gasless laparoscopic myomectomy was compared with conventional laparoscopic myomectomy. The study examined feasibility, safety, reliability and post-operative outcomes. Estimated blood loss, duration of surgery, early post-operative outcomes and length of hospital stay were recorded. Compared with conventional laparoscopic myomectomy, gasless laparoscopy resulted in significantly lower intra-operative blood loss (median 100 ml vs 80 ml, respectively) and duration of surgery (median 94 min vs 71 min, respectively). Post-operative abdominal drainage volume was significantly lower after gasless laparoscopy than after conventional laparoscopy (median 100 ml vs 240 ml). There was no significant difference between duration of post-operative fever, post-operative time to flatus or length of hospital stay. Both forms of laparoscopy are suitable for uterine myomectomy, and comparison of these methods showed that gasless laparoscopy had potential advantages over conventional laparoscopy.