Objective: Was to compare bilateral uterine artery ligation (ascending branches) with classic tourniquet before abdominal myomectomy.
Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study. Thirty patients were recruited with symptomatic myomas ≥20 wks pregnant size. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A (15 patients) subjected to uterine artery ligation, and group B (15 patients) subjected to classic tourniquet before myomectomy. Intra- and post-operative blood loss, operative time, need for blood transfusion, postoperative fever, hospital stay, and subsequent ovulation were estimated.
Results: Patients in both groups were comparable with regards to sociodemographic characteristics, number and size of myomata. Intra and postoperative blood loss was significantly higher in group B (260±40 and 235±35cc) than in group A (190±30 and 115±20cc), respectively. Ten patients out of 15 in group A proved to be ovulating (66%) by TVS within 3-6 months postoperatively.
Conclusions: Bilateral uterine artery ligation during abdominal myomectomy for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids is safe, simple, less invasive and effective method for controlling intra- and post-operative bleeding.