Comparing Laparoscopic and Open Myomectomy Surgical Outcomes at Riyadh Specialized Hospital
Laparoscopic myomectomy yields significantly shorter hospital stays than open abdominal surgery while maintaining similar rates of blood loss and postoperative complications, according to a retrospective study. Researchers examining patient data from January 2021 to October 2025 at the Specialized Hospital for Women’s Health at National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, found that while minimally invasive techniques reduce recovery time, they require substantially longer operative durations.
The retrospective analysis evaluated 299 women who underwent surgical removal of uterine fibroids. Among the cohort, 88 patients underwent laparoscopic myomectomy, representing 29.4 percent of the procedures, while 211 patients underwent open abdominal myomectomy, known as laparotomy, accounting for 70.6 percent of the cases.
Patient Demographics and Baseline Clinical Characteristics
Patient demographics showed no statistical difference between the two cohorts. The median age for both surgical groups stood at 37 years. Body mass index measurements were also comparable, with a median of 27.62 kilograms per square meter in the laparoscopic group and 28.48 kilograms per square meter in the open surgery group.
However, baseline fibroid characteristics diverged between the two groups. Patients in the laparoscopic cohort presented with a larger median maximum fibroid size of 8.0 centimeters, compared to 7.0 centimeters in the open surgery group. Conversely, patients undergoing open myomectomy presented with a higher prevalence of multiple fibroids, with 41.7 percent of the open group having three or more tumors, compared to 25.3 percent in the laparoscopic group.
Surgical Recovery and Hospital Stay Durations
Postoperative recovery metrics favored the minimally invasive approach regarding hospital resource utilization. Patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy experienced a median hospital stay of 3.0 days, compared to 4.0 days for those who underwent open laparotomy.
Despite the shorter hospitalization, intraoperative blood loss and hemoglobin drops remained statistically similar between the two approaches. Researchers noted that the primary drivers of intraoperative blood loss were the size and total number of fibroids rather than the specific surgical technique employed.
Operative Duration and Complication Rates
The primary drawback associated with the minimally invasive approach involved the length of the operation itself. Laparoscopic myomectomies demanded substantially longer operative times than open abdominal procedures.
Despite the extended operating room times, rates of postoperative complications—including surgical site infections, small bowel obstructions, and postoperative fever—showed no significant divergence between the two cohorts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Myomectomy Approaches
What is the primary clinical advantage of laparoscopic myomectomy over open surgery?
Patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy experience significantly shorter hospital stays, with a median recovery duration of 3.0 days compared to 4.0 days for open laparotomy.
How did fibroid characteristics differ between the study groups?
Patients selected for laparoscopic procedures presented with a larger maximum fibroid size, while patients in the open surgery group presented with a higher multiplicity of tumors, such as three or more fibroids.
What factors contributed most to intraoperative blood loss during these procedures?
The study determined that fibroid size and the total number of fibroids were the primary contributors to intraoperative blood loss, rather than the choice between laparoscopic or open surgical techniques.
Keep reading