Myomectomy

What is Myomectomy?

Myomectomy is a medical procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus. This method preserves your uterus. Fibroids are the growth made up of muscle cells and connective tissues. These growths are present inside the uterine muscles or in the pelvis. Usually, fibroids are not cancerous. After myomectomy, many women report decreased heavy menstrual bleeding, a reduction in pelvic pressure, and a regular menstrual cycle.

There are many ways to perform myomectomy, based on the size and number of fibroids - Abdominal Myomectomy, Hysteroscopic Myomectomy and Laparoscopic Myomectomy.

Who qualifies for a Myomectomy?

This procedure is different from a hysterectomy. Both procedures remove fibroids, but with a myomectomy, you can keep your uterus. While a hysterectomy removes the entire uterus. The following women qualify for a myomectomy:

• If they want to keep the uterus
• If they want to conceive soon
• If fibroids do not turn cancerous

There are different criteria to decide which type of surgical procedure to use:

• Abdominal myomectomy - Many or large-sized fibroids growing in the uterine wall
• Laparoscopic myomectomy - Smaller and fewer fibroids
• Hysteroscopic myomectomy - Smaller fibroids in the uterus

Why is Myomectomy conducted?

If the symptoms related to a myomectomy might influence your normal life, then your doctor will suggest surgical removal of fibroids.

Myomectomy is conducted if:

• Less invasive methods to treat fibroids are not effective
• If you plan to conceive
• It can affect your fertility
• If you want to have a uterus after the removal of fibroids

Types of Myomectomy

Based on the procedure, Myomectomy is of three types:

1. Abdominal Myomectomy

It is the procedure used to remove large, more numerous, and deeply embedded fibroids. During the procedure, the doctor makes an incision and sews the uterine muscles together. The total recovery time for the surgery is 4 to 6 weeks. After this procedure, you can only deliver a child by C-section.

2. Hysteroscopic Myomectomy

This procedure is useful when the fibroids are inside the uterine lining. The hysteroscopic method uses an instrument called a hysteroscope (like a telescope) to see the fibroids. It has a wire loop (resectoscope) to remove the fibroids using high-frequency electric currents. This procedure does not require an incision.

3. Laparoscopic Myomectomy

This procedure includes an incision in the lower abdomen to use tools to remove fibroid tissue. It uses a lighted telescope that is inserted through the umbilicus. The fibroids are removed through the vagina or small openings in the abdomen.

Benefits of Myomectomy

Other than the removal of the fibroids from the female's body, there are many other benefits of Myomectomy:

• After myomectomy, many women experience relief from excessive menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure in the abdomen.
• In many women, myomectomy resulted in an improvement in fertility after one year of the procedure. They must try to conceive after 3-6 months of myomectomy.

When to see a doctor?

If you notice heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular menstrual bleeding, or pain in the abdomen, then you must consult your gynaecologist for a timely diagnosis.

Risks or complications

Although myomectomy is a safe procedure, there are some risks or complications:

• Infection: You might get an infection or suffer from a high after the procedure.
• Excessive blood loss: Mostly, women with uterine fibroids are anaemic due to heavy menstrual bleeding. In such conditions, a myomectomy can result in excessive blood loss.
• Scar tissues: Incisions in the uterus during myomectomy can result in the formation of scar tissues. The laparoscopic method causes fewer scar tissues than abdominal myomectomy.
• Childbirth complications: After myomectomy, the doctors advise only going through a C-section to avoid rupture of the uterus or damage to the uterine wall during labour.

Conclusion

Myomectomy is a better procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus than a hysterectomy. It is important to notice the signs and symptoms and contact the doctor soon. This procedure helps women live a normal reproductive life later.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Hyderabad - Kondapur. Call 1860-500-4424 to book an appointment.