Effect of myomectomy on the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of myomectomy on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and oocyte donation cycle outcome.

DESIGN: Retrospective case-controlled study of consecutive fresh IVF-ET and oocyte donation patients during a 2-year interval.

SETTING: Private assisted reproductive technology (ART) center.

PATIENT(S): Patients with submucosal leiomyomata resected hysteroscopically (group A: 15 oocyte donor recipients; group 1 = 31 IVF-ET patients) and those with intramural components or strictly intramural leiomyomata that distorted or impinged upon the endometrial cavity resected at laparotomy (group B = 26 oocyte donor recipients; group 2 = 29 IVF-ET patients).

INTERVENTION(S): Precycle hysteroscopic or abdominal myomectomy and subsequent fresh IVF-ET or oocyte donation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Results of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation as well as ongoing pregnancy and implantation rates were evaluated in comparison with contemporaneous patient groups without such lesions (group C = 552 oocyte donor recipients; group 3: 896 IVF-ET patients).

RESULT(S): As would be expected, the mean number and size of leiomyomata were significantly larger in patients who underwent abdominal myomectomy. However, neither ongoing pregnancy nor implantation rates were significantly different in comparison with controls among either oocyte donor recipients (group A: 86.7%, 57.8%; group B: 84.6%, 55.2%; group C 77%, 49.1%). The findings were similar for those undergoing IVF-ET in comparison with controls (group 1: 61%, 24%; group 2: 52%, 26%; group 3: 53%, 23%).

CONCLUSION(S): Precycle resection of appropriately selected clinically significant leiomyomata results in IVF-ET or oocyte donation cycle outcomes that are similar to controls.