Application of a 'Baseball' Suture Technique in Uterine Myomectomy Following Laparoscopic Enucleation of Uterine Leiomyoma (Fibroid)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 'baseball' suture technique for uterine myomectomy incision closure in laparoscopic surgical enucleation of uterine leiomyoma (fibroid). Material/Methods: The study included 20 patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy with a 'baseball' suture technique, compared with 20 patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy with a standard suture method. Clinical characteristics, perioperative and follow-up data were compared between the two groups. Results: For the study group, compared with the standard or control group, had a significantly reduced operation time (60.15 +/- 9.97 min vs. 71.85 +/- 9.74 min) and suturing time (18.05 +/- 4.71 min vs. 28.35 +/- 3.13 min) (both p<0.05), significantly less intraoperative blood loss (93.25 +/- 19.62 ml vs. 121.50 +/- 24.87 ml) (p<0.05) and significantly less reduction in postoperative hemoglobin levels (8.9 +/- 1.97 g/L vs. 11.15 +/- 2.23 g/L) (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in duration of the use of the indwelling drainage tube, drainage volume, or time to recovery of gastrointestinal function (all, p>0.05). Following surgery, blood transfusion was given to one patient in the study group and two patients in the control group. One patient from each group had a fever. There was no significant difference in pregnancy outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions: The 'baseball' suture technique for closure of the uterine incision is a safe and effective method for use in laparoscopic myomectomy. However, the long-term recovery outcomes require further study.