Management of uterine fibroids at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

One hundred and eighty cases of uterine fibroids out of the two hundred treated in a gynaecological unit in a 7-year period are reviewed. The incidence of uterine fibroids among gynaecological conditions was 3.2% and it accounted for 3.6% of the operations. The peak age incidence was at 31-40 years (46%). Twenty per cent of those affected were grand multiparae. The commonest clinical features were abdominal swelling, infertility, abdominal pain, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea. Most of the patients were treated surgically with myomectomy (68%), mainly on account of the low parity and age. There was increased morbidity among those who had hysterectomy; 2 deaths occurred in this group. We have advocated liberal use of myomectomy , with its preservation of menstrual and reproductive function.