Laparoscopic Myomectomy

While up to 75 percent of reproductive-aged women in certain populations may have uterine fibroids during their lifetime, the percentage of women who experience symptoms are fewer. For these women with symptoms, there are several treatment options. Which of these treatments is best depends on each woman’s unique clinical situation and desires? Factors such as a desire for future pregnancy, size, a location of the fibroids, and age are the major considerations.

Laparoscopic myomectomy involves removing fibroids from the wall of the uterus (womb). Fibroids are noncancerous tumors in the muscle of the uterus.

• Myomectomy is done to relieve problems caused by fibroids without doing a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). These problems can include:

  • Pelvic pain
  • Back pain
  • Pressure on the bladder
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Difficulty becoming pregnant
  • Discomfort during sexual intercourse
  • The symptoms caused by fibroids are often successfully controlled with this procedure. This may include a return to a normal menstrual cycle and the ability to become pregnant.

  Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a myomectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Surgical wound infection
  • Recurrence of fibroids
  • Damage to other organs
  • Wall of the uterus may be weakened if a large fibroid is removed
  • Reactions to anesthesia
  • Need for special precautions in pregnancy, such as the need to deliver by cesarean section
  • Pelvic adhesions that can cause pain and/or bowel blockage
  • Problems found during surgery that makes removal of the uterus necessary

  Procedure:

  A small cut will be made in the navel. A laparoscope will be inserted into the abdomen through the cut. A laparoscope is a tube with a tiny camera on the end. It will be used to examine the abdomen. Two or three additional small cuts will be made in the abdomen. Other tools will be inserted through these cuts. Each fibroid will be located and removed. The bed of the fibroid is sutured inside the body with sutures which requires a skilled surgeon. In some cases, you may be given a medication to reduce blood loss. After the fibroids are removed, the incision area will be closed with stitches.