MediGence: Enabling Better Health Decisions

Uterine fibroids are one of the most common causes of infertility and may cause pain and excessive bleeding during menstruation. They have also been linked to infertility in women.

Genetic changes, hormonal imbalance, extracellular matrix, and other growth factors are responsible for the presence of fibroids. The growth rate and size of the fibroids may vary from one woman to the other. There are times when fibroids may even shrink on their own.

Depending on the location of the fibroid in the uterus, they may be categorized into subserosal, mucosal, pedunculated, or fundal fibroids.

However, it is possible to get rid of troubling uterine fibroids with the help of a surgery. Fibroid removal surgery is of different types and is most commonly known as myomectomy.

Depending on the size, location, and shape of fibroid, fibroid removal surgery could be performed using any of the following two techniques:

Laparoscopic fibroid removal surgery
Open fibroid removal surgery
Hysteroscopic fibroid removal surgery

If there is a single, small fibroid, the specialist may choose non-surgical fibroid removal (uterine fibroid embolization or radiofrequency ablation) to remove the growth. However, if the size of the fibroid is large or if there are multiple uterine fibroids, surgery is often considered to be the best solution.

Minimally invasive myomectomy or fibroid removal surgery is nowadays most common and can be performed with much ease and success.

Who needs to undergo Fibroid Removal Surgery?

Not all of the women need to undergo a surgery to get rid of the fibroids. It is only when there are certain issues that need to be taken care of when the surgery is recommended.

The following are the appropriate candidates for fibroid removal surgery:

Women who experience painful periods and heavy bleeding
Women who wish to get pregnant in the future
Women suffering from infertility due to fibroids
Women for which alternative treatments such as drugs and non-invasive treatment has not worked before
Women suffering from other health issues due to fibroid such as low back pain and urinary tract or bowel issues

Myomectomy or fibroid removal surgery can be done through the following approaches:

Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: Through the vagina and into the uterus using a lighted scope called a hysteroscope
Laparoscopic Myomectomy: Through small incisions in the abdomen using a lighted scope called laparoscopy
Open Surgery: Through a cut in the abdomen to access the uterus

The patient is asked to fast for about 12 hours before the surgery and also given laxatives to clear the bowel a night before.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure itself takes anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the approach for the surgery.

The fibroids are excised with the help of tools and the stitches are closed back up. The hospital stay for the candidate is about 1 to 2 days.

Laparoscopic myomectomy is more common as compared to hysteroscopic myomectomy because the latter is riskier and requires special expertise. Open surgery, on the other hand, though common, is preferred only in the case of large fibroids in a location that is difficult to be accessed through the laparoscope.

Recovery after fibroid removal surgery is rather quick. The patient is usually discharged after one or two days of the surgery. They are advised to bed rest for about 10 days and not to lift any heavy objects.

The stitches removal takes place 10 days after the surgery. However, precautions in terms of not lifting heavy objects and avoiding heavy exercising and workout must be followed for at least a month of the surgery.

Gradually, the candidate can return to a normal routine. They are usually allowed to return to their jobs within 2 weeks of the surgery.