The answer depends on several factors. If you have symptomatic fibroids, meaning painful periods and heavy bleeding, you could be a candidate for myomectomy. If you want to have children in the future, myomectomy may be the procedure to relieve your fibroid symptoms and still keep your uterus. Keep reading to find out about the types of myomectomy and which might be best for you.
It’s All About the Fibroids
Many women have no symptoms of fibroids and need no intervention unless that changes.
For those who do suffer from symptoms, how many symptomatic fibroids you have, their size, and their location all contribute to being a good candidate for a myomectomy. If you want to keep your uterus intact, this is accomplished with a myomectomy.
Fibroids are benign growths made of tissue and muscle that can grow inside the muscle of the uterus or even elsewhere in the pelvis. A myomectomy removes only the fibroids and leaves the uterus, so a woman can conceive in the future.
Types of Myomectomies
There are several types of procedures available to remove fibroids. Once Dr. Rita Sharma has determined how many fibroids there are and their location, you may get a recommendation for which is best for you.
Minimally Invasive Hysteroscopic Myomectomy
The surgeon inserts a thin lighted scope into the vagina and through the cervix to the uterus. Once the fibroid is visualized, Dr. Sharma can then remove it with minimal downtime.
- This type is best for mucosal fibroids.
- You can go home the same day.
- Recovery can be just a few days.
Minimally Invasive Robotic (Laparoscopic) Myomectomy
This type is performed under general anesthesia. Tiny incisions are made in the abdomen, and a lighted camera called a laparoscope is inserted into one incision. Instruments are placed in the other ports to perform the procedure. Sometimes this is done robotically, which helps the surgeon remove the fibroids. They are cut into smaller pieces to be removed.
- Most patients remain in the hospital for one night.
- Recovery takes two to four weeks.
- If the fibroids are too large, the surgeon will continue with another type.
Abdominal Myomectomy
Also known as an open myomectomy, this procedure requires an incision in the abdomen under general anesthesia. The surgeon removes the fibroids from the uterine wall. This type is chosen when fibroids are larger and more numerous.
- This procedure requires one to two days in the hospital.
- Recovery can take up to four to six weeks.
Final Thoughts
There is always a chance fibroids can grow back, especially if the patient is younger. It’s important to discuss with Dr. Sharma the best type of myomectomy for you.
Most women get relief from the symptoms of fibroids after a myomectomy.
Contact Dr. Rita Sharma at (770) 723-1545 if you are experiencing severe symptoms of fibroids and want more information about a myomectomy.
Sources:
- Myomectomy | Conditions & Treatments | UCSF Health
- Myomectomy (clevelandclinic.org)
- Myomectomy (Surgery for Uterine Fibroid Removal) (webmd.com)
- Types of Myomectomy | Stanford Health Care