Removal of uterine fibroid tumors using an endoscope

Procedure Information

What is the removal of uterine fibroids?

Removal of uterine fibroids, also known as myomectomy, is a procedure used to remove uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are also known as leiomyomas. Leiomyoma is a benign growth of the uterine smooth muscles that mostly appear during childbearing years.

Myomectomy removes the uterine fibroids without removing the whole uterus. This can lead to improvement of fibroid symptoms like pelvic pressure and heavy menstrual bleeding.

Why would I get this procedure?

Although fibroids are benign proliferations and unlikely to become malignant, fibroids can have significant symptoms like pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Myomectomy is preferred over hysterectomy (removal of the whole uterus) if you plan to become a mother or fibroids are interfering with your fertility. 

What happens during the procedure?

Myomectomy can be done by different techniques depending on the number, location, and size of your fibroids. The three approaches include abdominal myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, and hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Laparoscopic myomectomy: This procedure uses a tool called a laparoscope to be inserted inside your abdomen to remove fibroids. The surgeon will make several small incisions for the placement of the instruments. The laparoscope has a tiny camera at its tip to allow the surgeon to view the inside of your abdomen. The fibroid will be removed via one of the small holes made by the surgeon.

What to expect after the procedure?

Pain and discomfort in your pelvic area are common side effects after the surgery. Vaginal spotting or staining for the first few days is expected as well. It is better that you avoid strenuous activities for the first few weeks after the surgery. 

Conclusion

Myomectomy can lead to an improvement in your fertility and your symptoms in general, including pain and bleeding. 

Fibroid can come back after the surgery. Young women, who had many fibroids, are at the greatest risk. Fibroid recurrence may be due to small fibroids that weren’t detected during the surgery or new fibroids. Women who had one fibroid or became pregnant after the surgery have a lower chance of recurrence. 

Citations

Mayo Clinic: Myomectomy

Cleveland Clinic:Myomectomy