Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2003 Dec;46(12):2345-2351.

Learning Curve of Laparoscopic Myomectomy

• Song SJ
• Kim CH
• Kim SH
• Park EY
• Park KS
• Moon HS
• Kim KS
• Joo BS
• Kim SG

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of laparoscopic myomectomy compared to open myomectomy
METHODS
A retrospective study of 85 cases of myomectomy was performed. Twenty six cases of open myomectomy (group I) and 59 cases of laparoscopic myomectomy (group II) were done by one main surgeon from 1996 to 2002 in the department of OBGYN at Moonhwa Hospital. Group II was divided into two subgroups, group IIA and group IIB. Group IIA included 17 cases of laparoscopic myomectomy done from 1996 to 1998 during learning period. Group IIB included 42 cases of laparoscopic myomectomy performed from 1999 to 2002 after learning period.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in age, parity, the number of myoma, and the size of myoma between groups I and II. The intensity of postoperative pain and febrile morbidity were significantly lower in group II than in group I (P<0.05). Mean operation time was significantly shorter in group I than in group II. However, after completing the learning curve, no significant difference was found in the operation time between group I and group IIB. Blood loss was significantly decreased in group II compared to group I (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The learning curve for lasparoscopic myomectomy needed 17 cases and laparoscopic myomectomy could be an excellent minimally invasive method as an alternative of open myomectomy after learning curve.

Keyword

Laparoscopic myomectomy; Open myomectomy; Learning curve

MeSH Terms

Female
Learning Curve*
Learning*
Myoma
Pain, Postoperative
Parity
Retrospective Studies