ABSTRACT
Background: Uterine myomas are benign growths primarily involving the smooth muscles of the uterus; the myometrium with varying quantities of connective tissue interspersing. It is the most common tumour of the female genital organs with more than three quarters of the tumours being asymptomatic Aim: To determine the mode of presentation; factors influencing the occurrence and the management options of uterine leiomyoma; the commonest tumour of the female pelvic organs at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital; Orlu. Methods: A descriptive study of all cases of uterine leiomyoma managed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital; Orlu; from June 1; 2004 to June 30th 2007. Results: The prevalence of uterine leiomyoma at the Imo State University Teaching was 32.0. Majority of the patients (86.4) were in their 3rd and 4th decades of life. Seventy-two point one percent of the patients were nulliparous. The Commonest reasons given for late presentation were poverty (92) and aversion to surgery (86). Uterine leiomyoma affected women across all socioeconomic strata. Majority of the patients (73.5) presented with uterine mass of between 14-22 week gravid uterine size. The common modes of presentation were lower abdominal swelling (73.9); menstrual abnormalities (52.3) and infertility (26.1). The commonest site of the myomas was intramural. Treatment was essentially surgical mainly myoectomy (62.5). About 25.6of those who had myomectomy subsequently had live births. Conclusion: Uterine leiomyomas tend to grow to large sizes in our environment. Mass enlightenment campaigns; women empowerment; reduction of the cost of health care delivery in our country and routine ultrasound screening of all women of reproductive age will all help in early detection and treatment