Benassi 2000.

Methods	Single centre study Allocation to interventions using computer‐generated random numbers Patients blinded, but assessors unblinded Power calculation: not done No losses to follow up, and all patients were analysed in groups to which they were assigned Source of funding: not mentioned
Participants	Setting: university hospital, Parma, Italy Inclusion criteria: patients with symptomatic fibroids (menorrhagia, pelvic pain, and compression) Exclusion criteria: use of hormonal substances within 6 months proceeding myomectomy, previous uterine surgery, pelvic inflammatory diseases n = 58 Age range: 25‐45 years Ethnicity not described Size of myomas: 2‐17 cm
Interventions	Treatment group (n = 29): use of sodium‐2‐mercaptoethane sulfonate (mesna) for chemical dissection (removal of fibroids with the aid of a chemical substance that breaks down tissues) of myoma during myomectomy Control group (n = 29): use of saline for dissection of myomas Type of operation: laparotomy
Outcomes	Postoperative haemoglobin and haematocrit, duration of operation, hospital stay, and postoperative complications
Notes	Indications for myomectomy: menorrhagia, pelvic pain, and compression Authors not contacted
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Allocation to interventions using computer‐generated random numbers
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Adequate
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	No incomplete outcome data
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	We do not have access to the study protocol
Other bias	Low risk	No other sources of bias identified
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Patients blinded
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	High risk	Outcome assessors unblinded