18 Oct Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)

Myomectomy means removal of fibroids from the uterus surgically. Fibroids are growths of the uterus, Fibroids are benign tumours arising from muscle of uterus and they cause menstrual disturbances, pelvic pressure symptoms in many women. Women may also experience difficulty in conceiving or have miscarriages due to these fibroids.

Surgical removal of fibroids (Myomectomy) helps in relieving pelvic pain and discomfort related to fibroids and also corrects menstrual problems (excessive and irregular bleeding patterns) and fertility also improves in many of these women. This is a preferred treatment for those women who want to become pregnant. This treatment leaves the uterus in its place and makes pregnancy more likely in these women.

Surgical methods for myomectomy 

There are many ways of removing the fibroids. The method to be used depends upon the size, location and number of fibroids. This includes:

1. Hysteroscopy: This involves insertion of an optical instrument (hysteroscopy) that has a lighted view from the vagina into the uterus. The fibroids are removed from the inner walls of the uterus.
2. Laparoscopy: This also involves using a lighted viewing instrument with one or more cuts in the abdomen. This minimally invasive approach to the removal of fibroids leads to quicker recovery from the operation and has been proven to be a safe and effective method for fibroid removal. The long term results are good and the child bearing potential is also not affected.
3. Laparotomy: This is done by a large incision in the abdomen. This method is used to remove large and multiple fibroids.

What to expect after surgery 

The difference in all the above methods is the length of stay at the hospital and the recovery time.

• Hysteroscopy is a day care procedure (admitted to the hospital for a few hours) and requires few days to recover.
• Laparoscopy requires a stay at the hospital for 1 to 2 days. Recovery time for this is around 2 weeks.
• Laparotomy requires a stay of 2 to 4 days in the hospital and recovery time is around 4 to 6 weeks.

Why is myomectomy done? 

Myomectomy helps in preserving the uterus along with treating the fibroids. It is offered to women who are having symptoms due to fibroids. Women with

• Large fibroids in the uterus
• Heavy periods
• Those with pelvic pressure and pain due to fibroids
• Women with sub fertility and fibroids in 4 cm in size
• Women planning to undergo IVF (In vitro fertilisation) cycles for conceiving will be offered removal of fibroids.

How well it works?

Myomectomy is one of the best procedures to reduce the pelvic pain and bleeding from fibroids. It also helps in improving the chances of getting pregnant.

Risks: 

There may be following risks:

1. Bleeding at the time of surgery
2. In rare cases, there can be injury to the bladder or bowel
3. In rare cases, hysterectomy may be done during myomectomy. This may happen of during removal of fibroids heavy bleeding occurs then to stop it hysterectomy is done.
4. Fibroid removal may also cause scar tissue.

If in case you have any query related to fibroid removal or myomectomy then you must schedule a visit to Triveni Obs and Gynae clinic in Gurgaon and get answers to all your questions from Dr. Manavita Mahajan who is a renowned gynaecologist in Gurgaon and have specialised skills in myomectomy.