Uterine Leiomyoma – An Appraisal Of Presentation And Management Outcome At The University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City

Abstract

The clinical presentation and management outcome of 262 cases of uterine fibroids managed in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital over a 5 year period was retrospectively analysed. Uterine fibroids constituted about 10.3% and 18.9% of new gynaecological admissions and surgeries respectively. It was commoner amongst nullipara or low parity women (67.9% i.e.178/262) and within the 3rd and 4th decade of life (68.7% i.e. 180/262). Majority of the patients presented with abdominal swelling (56.9%) and menorrhagia (53.8%). Myomectomy was done in 69.9% while hysterectomy was performed for 30.1% of cases. Anaemia (13.7%), pyrexia (20.2%) and prolonged hospital stay (24.6%) were the major post operative morbidities suffered by the patients. Uterine fibroid is a significant gynaecological problem that afflicts women in the reproductive age group in our environment. Surgery, in form of myomectomy or hysterectomy remains the main treatment modality in this centre, with anaemia, pyrexia and prolonged hospital stay constituting major post-operative complications, particularly with myomectomy.

Keywords:Uterine fibroids, myomectomy, hysterectomy, post-operative complications

Annals of Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 10-17