Study objective: To assess recurrence of leiomyomata after laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) and evaluate predictive factors of recurrence.
Design: Observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).
Setting: University hospital.
Patients: One hundred ninety-six women.
Intervention: Laparoscopic myomectomy with mean follow-up of 47 months.
Measurements and results: Myoma recurrence included recurrence of initial symptomatology before LM, recurrence at clinical examination, and appearance of a myoma 2 cm or larger on ultrasound examination. Recurrence was observed in 45 patients (22.9%). The mean time before recurrence was 42 months (range 4-95 mo). Eight women (4.08%) required reoperation. The cumulative recurrence risk was 12.7% at 2 years and 16.7% at 5 years. Predictive factors for recurrence were number of myomas and nulliparity.
Conclusion: According to our results, the cumulative rate of myoma recurrence within 5 years appears greater after LM than after laparotomy. However, this should not lead us to reject laparoscopy, which has many advantages compared with laparotomy, in particular its low morbidity.