Myomectomy is the term for the surgical procedure that performs the removal of uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus. This procedure can be performed through open surgery (laparotomy – opening of the abdomen) or through closed surgery (laparoscopy – which does not require opening of the abdomen or hysteroscopy). Hysteroscopy is used in cases where fibroids grow or protrude into the uterine cavity.
Usually, myomectomy is recommended for women who want to have children. In cases of fibroids that meet the criteria for surgical treatment, but who do not wish to get pregnant or are of a very advanced age, then hysterectomy is advised.
Myomectomy is a surgery that lasts longer than hysterectomy, and usually has more bleeding than the latter. Patients will have considerable pain for 3-10 days after the operation.
Understandably, in the case of laparoscopic myomectomy, post-operative pain is more reduced.
In the case of hysteroscopic myomectomy, post-operative pain is negligible.
The hospital stay depends on how the myomectomy is performed: with laparoscopy or laparotomy.
Recovery after myomectomy with laparotomy usually requires 2 months. Only after such an interval is returning to work and to the physical activity that the patient had before the operation advised. During the first 6 months after the operation, lifting weights is not advised because open surgery can be complicated with hernia if physical activity is started too early.
Recovery is much faster in the case of myomectomy with laparoscopy and does not present the aforementioned risks.
Being a somewhat more invasive surgical procedure than other surgical procedures, myomectomy can be somewhat more often complicated by various complications. Among the possible complications we mention:
In the case of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, these risks are minimal.
Usually, complications do not exceed 10% of cases.
In cases where fibroids cause infertility, myomectomy increases the chances for a pregnancy and minimizes the chances for miscarriage.