Uterine fibroids in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo: A five year review

Background: Uterine fibroids otherwise known as leiomyomas or myomas are the commonest tumour of the uterus. Leiomyomas are frequently seen in the black than in white women. It is commoner in nulliparous and relatively infertile women than the parous and fertile women. Objective: To determine the incidence, mode of presentation, management and complications of uterine fibroid among women in Osogbo. Materials and method: This is a retrospective analysis of the patients seen in our clinic at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Osogbo, diagnosed as having uterine fibroids. The study was conducted over a period of five years. The variables considered in the study were patients’ age, parity, occupations, level of education, fertility status, clinical presentation, management and complications. Results: A total of 1,288 patients were seen at the gynaecological clinic out of which145 were clinically diagnosed as having uterine fibroids. The ages of the patients ranged between 20-65 years with the largest number 64 occurring in the age group of 40-49 years. The patients’ complaints were abdominal swellings in 70 patients, infertility 56, menorrahgia and recurrent abortion in20 patients. Surgical management was the main option of treatment. The most common complication was uterine bleeding. Conclusion: The proportion of gynaecological patients in our clinic with uterine fibroids is still remarkable. The definitive management for large fibroids in our unit remains surgical removal. Anaemia is the most common complication in the review. Key words: Uterine fibroids, infertility, presentation, management and complications