Pregnancy Outcomes After Myomectomy In Infertile Women With Fibroids: A Systematic Review Of The Literature

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: To analyze the impact of abdominal myomectomy on pregnancy outcomes of infertile women with fibroids, and to conduct a comparative effectiveness study of abdominal and laparoscopic myomectomy. Study design: A systematic review of all relevant literature in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception to November 2015 respectively. English language restriction was applied to searches. Results: Out of 352 articles identified by literature search, and subsequently reviewed, six articles met the study inclusion criteria, three case series on effectiveness studies and three studies (one RCT, one cohort, one case series) on comparativeness effectiveness studies. There was a very low quality of strength of evidence for effectiveness studies though they support the hypothesis that pregnancy outcomes are improved after abdominal myomectomy. Furthermore, the comparative effectiveness studies showed no statistical significant difference in pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: There is need for further research to be conducted.