Predictors of reproductive outcomes following myomectomy for intramural fibroids.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Which factors are associated with reproductive outcomes among infertile women undergoing myomectomy for intramural fibroids?

DESIGN

This was a historical cohort study including 127 infertile women who underwent myomectomy due to intramural fibroids as part of fertility enhancement treatment at a single academic tertiary-care medical centre between the years 2011 and 2015. Demographic characteristics, pre-operative evaluation, surgical factors and post-surgical factors were compared between women who successfully conceived and those who did not following myomectomy.

RESULTS

The overall clinical pregnancy rate following myomectomy was 58.3% (n = 74). Women with successful conception were significantly younger (35.4 ± 4.5 years versus 37.2 ± 4.0 years; P = 0.022), and mostly white (63.5% versus 24.3% African-American; P = 0.008). In addition, patients who conceived had larger fibroids demonstrated in pre-operative imaging and during surgery (7.3 versus 6.1 cm and 7.8 versus 6.6 cm; P = 0.003 and 0.022, respectively), with fewer cases of cavity entry determined during surgery (9.5% versus 28.3%; P = 0.005). Multivariable modified Poisson regression models identified the patient's age (risk ratio [RR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93-0.99; P =0.014) and race (RR for African-American women versus white women 0.58, 95% CI 0.38-0.88; P = 0.011) as factors significantly associated with the probability of conceiving following myomectomy.

CONCLUSION(S): Age and race play a significant role in the reproductive outcomes of infertile women undergoing intramural fibroid myomectomy as part of fertility enhancement treatment. Further large prospective studies are needed to identify specific factors associated with achieving pregnancy, which will help to determine the clinical management of infertile women with intramural fibroids.