Topics of Interest

The effect of myomectomy on health-related quality of life of women with fibroids

Authors: Dilek S, Ertunc D, Tok E, Cimen R, Doruk A.

Journal: Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research 2010; 36:364–369.

Study From: Mersin University School of Medicine, Turkey

Problem: There are very few studies that report on the improvement in quality-of-life following fibroid treatments, and virtually none following myomectomy.

Study: A standardized health-related quality-of-life questionnaire was filled out before, and 6 months after, myomectomy in 72 women with fibroids. These results were compared with the questionnaires from 75 women without fibroids.

Results: At the beginning of the study, women with larger fibroids had worse quality-of-life than women with small fibroids or women with no fibroids. Following myomectomy, significant improvement in physical role (physical interference with work and daily activities), bodily pain, general health, vitality (energy), social function (interference with social activities) and emotional role (emotional interference with work and daily activities) were noted. Physical functioning (dressing, bathing) and mental health (depression) were similar before and after surgery.

Author’s Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that myomectomy improves health related quality-of-life.

Dr. Parker’s Comments: Despite 50 years of myomectomy surgery, this is the first study to carefully evaluate whether women actually feel better as a result of having a myomectomy. So, now we have studies of women following treatment with UAE, myomectomy and hysterectomy that show improvement in quality-of-life. As I said on an earlier post, this leaves the decision about which treatment to have up to each woman, since these three treatments all help. And, since I perform mostly myomectomy surgery, this study validates what my patients have been telling me for years – they feel great after myomectomy.

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Fibroid Doctor William H. Parker

Dr. William H. Parker is a board-certified Fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Parker is an internationally recognized expert in fibroid surgery and research. Based in San Diego, California, he is considered one of the best fibroid surgeons for abdominal and laparoscopic myomectomy in the United States and abroad. He has been chosen for Best Doctors in America and Top Doctors every year beginning in the late 90's.

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