Uterine leiomyoma (uterine fibroids) is the commonest tumor of the female pelvic organs and tends to grow to unsightly sizes in our environment.

Study Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, sociodemographic variables, presentation and management of uterine fibroids at Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Katsina.

Study design: This was a retrospective study of all cases of uterine fibroids managed at the gynaecological department over a fouryear period (January 1st 2009 and December 31st 2012).

Results: One hundred and sixty-nine (169) cases of uterine fibroids were managed out of 2265 gynaecological admissions, with prevalence rate of 7.5%. 81.07% of patients were in their 3rd and 4th decades of life, with 46.75% being nulliparous while 11.83% were grand multiparous.

The commonest presentation was menstrual irregularities (61.54%), followed by lower abdominal swellings (23.67%), lower abdominal pain (20.19%) and infertility (13.02%). 36.70% presented with uterine mass of 20 weeks or more. Most (83.22%) of patients had myomectomy only, and 2.68% had total abdominal hysterectomy only. Of those who had myomectomy, multiple and single uterine incisions were made in 45.18% and 33.13% of cases, respectively. The endometrium was breeched in 16.57% of cases, while 23.67% required blood transfusion. The post operative complications were anaemia (43.33%), pyrexia (16.66%), and wound infection (6.67%).

Surgery remains the main stay of management of uterine fibroids (88.2%), with the desire for future fertility being the major determinant of the type of surgery offered.

Conclusion: The prevalence of uterine leiomyoma is 7.5%, with menstrual irregularity as commonest mode of presentation. The mainstay of management was myomectomy, of which 16.6% had endometrium breeched. Postoperative anaemia was the most frequent complication.