Uterine fibroids are very common and, when symptomatic, can lead to hysterectomy in patients who desire no further childbearing. In the last few years, there has been increasing interest in aggressive operative laparoscopy. We report our experience with laparoscopic removal of symptomatic uterine fibroids larger than 3 cm in patients desiring to avoid hysterectomy and to preserve their fertility. Between January 1987 and January 1990, 17 patients underwent laparoscopic myomectomy after shrinkage of the fibroids preoperatively with GnRH analogs. The procedures were performed using cautery or KTP laser laparoscopic dissection techniques, with either morcellation or colpotomy for removal of the fibroids. There were no immediate or delayed operative complications, and postoperative follow-up has revealed no long-term return of fibroids in this series of patients. (J GYNECOL SURG 7:37, 1991)