A double-blind randomised trial of leuprorelin acetate prior to hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Objective To evaluate the use of pre-operative leuprorelin acetate for redu cing the morbidity from hysterectomy for nonfibroid menorrhagia. Design A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Setting Gynaecology department in a large university teaching hospital. Sample Fifty-one women without uterine fibroids awaiting abdominal or vagin al hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Methods Participants received leuprorelin acetate or placebo for eight week s prior to hysterectomy. Main outcome measures Operative blood loss, operative difficulty, first day morphine use, speed of return to 'normal health'. Results The study and control groups we:re similar as regards prognostic fa ctors. Two women in the study group withdrew because of side-effects. Altho ugh a 34% reduction in uterine volume was seen in those treated with leupro relin, there were no significant differences in operative blood loss (183 m t in the study group vs 285 mt in controls, P = 0.27), operation time (39 v s 49 min, P = 0.64) or operative difficulty (visual analogue scale 3.0 vs 4 .0, P = 0.09). Furthermore, there was no difference between the groups in p ost-operative morbidity or rate of recovery. Conclusions Treating women with leuprorelin acetate for 8 weeks prior to su rgery for nonfibroid menorrhagia has no significant operative or post-opera tive benefits.