Table 1 The characteristics of included RCTs

Alessandri 2006 [13]

Italy

74/74

37.5 ± 4.5/38.4 ± 64.9

6

Laparoscopic myomectomy may offer the benefits of lower postoperative analgesic use and faster postoperative recovery.

Cicinelli 2009 [14]

Italy

40/40

32.1 ± 8.5/34.3 ± 9.3

6

Laparoscopic myomectomy is a suitable in women with 1 to 3 myomas.

Ding 2017 [15]

China

60/60

37.52 ± 6.21/ 7.44 ± 7.18

NA

Laparoscopic uterine myoma decollement provides shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding volume, quicker recovery and higher safety in patients.

Fanfani 2005 [16]

Italy

93/120

34.4(26–40)/33.6(24–39)

1

Myomectomy by minilaparotomy can be considered a minimally invasive alternative to laparoscopy in the surgical management of intramural and subserosal myomas.

Li 2011 [17]

China

120/120

40.0 ± 10.0/50.0 + 10.0

NA

The cost-effective effect of laparoscopic uterine fibroids excision is better than traditional abdominal myomectomy.

Mais 1995 [18]

Italy

20/20

34.3 ± 6.3/33.8 ± 6/7

NA

Laparoscopic myomectomy may offer the benefits of lower postoperative pain and shorter recovery time in comparison with laparotomy.

Palomba 2007 [19]

Italy

68/68

28 (21–36)/28 (22–38)

12

A careful evaluation of the dimensions and localizations of fibroids are needed to address to the right choice to the best approach.

Seracchioli 2000 [20]

Italy

66/65

34.00 ± 4.11/33.97 ± 4.79

≥12

LM can be performed in a great number of cases even in the presence of very large myomata

Wang 2010 [21]

China

38/34

37.5(30–51)/38.5(31–50)

NA

LM has a significant effect on the treatment of large or multiple uterine fibroids, with the advantages of small trauma, short hospital stay, less complications, and quick recovery.

Wang 2011 [22]

China

194/190

37.6 ± 7.3/36.7 ± 8.2

NA

gasless laparoscopy is safe and reliable in myomectomy.

Yang 2011 [23]

China

31/30

38.3/36.8

NA

Gasless laparoscopic multiple myomectomy is a good minimally invasive procedure.

Zhang 2012 [24]

China

82/76

36.6 ± 5.2/35.8 ± 6.1

NA

Compared with AM, LM has the advantages of less trauma, less bleeding, faster recovery and shorter hospital stay. It has obvious advantages under certain conditions, but it cannot completely replace AM.