An Analysis of Surgically Treated Cases of Uterine Fibroids at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.

A 2½-year review of uterine fibroids management at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital was carried out. It was revealed that uterine fibroids constitute 4.7% of Gyneacological admissions. Nearly 50% of patients were within the 31-40 years age group and 54.1% occurred within the parity of 0 and1. Menstrual disturbances and infertility were the commonest presenting features. A palpable abdominal mass was a feature in 75.5% of the patients although only 43.8% complained of abdominal swelling. 64.3% showed evidence of associated pelvic inflammatory disease. The operative treatments involved either myomectomy (42.8%) or hysterectomy 57.2%. Post operative morbidity due to pyrexia occurred in 60% while anaemia and wound infections were recorded in 11% and 10% respectively. The study revealed that pelvic infections are still very rampant in our environment and this may not be unrelated to ignorance, poverty and dearth of adequate health facilities in the community. (Nig J Surg Res 2000;2:6-11) KEY WORDS:Uterine fibroid, symptomatology, surgical treatment, post operative morbidity