Prospective randomised trial comparing gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues with triple tourniquets at open myomectomy

To compare intra-operative blood loss with triple tourniquets to occlude uterine blood supply against preoperative treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues at open myomectomy. A prospective randomised controlled trial. University teaching hospital. Forty women undergoing open myomectomy for symptomatic fibroids. Women due to undergo open myomectomy were randomised to either 3 months pre-treatment with a GnRH analogue or the intra-operative application of triple tourniquets (number 1 polyglactin suture [Vicryl((R))Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA] tied around the cervix and a size 10 polythene suction catheter tied around the infundibulo-pelvic ligaments) to occlude the uterine blood supply. The primary outcome measure was intra-operative blood loss. Secondary outcome measures included postoperative blood loss, blood transfusion rate and postoperative morbidity. The two groups were similar in baseline characteristics. An average of 15 and 22 fibroids were removed from the GnRH analogue and tourniquet groups respectively. Intra-operative estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the GnRH analogue group (median 2482 ml, 75% percentile 1744-3151) than when triple tourniquets were used (median 640 ml, 75% percentile 418-881), giving a difference between means of 1842 ml (P < 0.001). Similarly, significantly more women required blood transfusion in the GnRH analogue group (70 versus 30%, P < 0.025). Postoperative morbidity was similar between the two groups. There were two serious complications in the tourniquet group, but they were not considered to be directly related to occlusion of the uterine blood supply. Triple tourniquets are significantly more effective than preoperative treatment with GnRH analogues at reducing intra-operative blood loss at open myomectomy.