Surgical and Delivery Outcomes of Coexisting Uterine Fibroids with Pregnancies in Nigeria

Background: Coexisting uterine fibroid with pregnancy is associated with increased pregnancy complications. This study evaluates the prevalence of coexisting uterine fibroids, and surgical and delivery outcomes among pregnant women who had cesarean sections. Methods: This comparative observational study was conducted among pregnant women who had cesarean sections at the labor ward operating room of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. One hundred and five pregnant women aged 20 years - 40 years were recruited and grouped based on the intraoperative presence of grossly visible uterine fibroids (n = 23) and no uterine fibroids (n = 82). Surgical and delivery outcomes were measured. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26 and the means between the two groups were compared using an independent sample t-test with significance set at p < .05. Results: The prevalence of uterine fibroids found during cesarean sections in this study was 21.9%. The mean age of the participants was comparable (M = 30.25 SD = 5.232). There were statistically significant differences in mean pre-operative packed cell volume (t(df) = 2.077 (65.31) p = .042, estimated blood loss (t(df) = 2.045 (36.664) p =.010, post-op packed cell volume (t(df) = 1.054 (24.035) p = .049, and duration of hospital stay (t(df) = -.235(65.846) p = .019. The study showed that there was a difference in mean surgery time = 7.996 95% CI: -.879 to 16.871 but this was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Uterine fibroid coexisting with pregnancy has a significant effect on the surgery time, estimated blood loss, and length of hospital stay. Therefore, adequate complication readiness and proper follow-up of the patient will be crucial to avert likely complications during and after surgery in women with coexisting uterine fibroid in pregnancy.