SURGICAL PROCEDURES

Myomectomy: Removing the Issue

Chances are, if you are a woman of childbearing age and suffer from uterine fibroids, your doctor has likely brought up the topic of myomectomy. It is a strange name, to be sure; but to put it into layman’s terms, myomectomy refers to a surgical procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus. While fibroids are very common and noncancerous, these growths generally cause symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pain in the pelvic region.

Process of Elimination

Unlike a hysterectomy, myomectomy does not remove the uterus but rather removes only the fibroids to leave the uterus intact. In addition to relieving uterine fibroids pain and bleeding as well as the other symptoms associated with fibroids, the myomectomy procedure is performed especially in cases of women who wish to bear children and have had their fertility affected by the presence of fibroids as well as for any women who want to keep their uterus.

Myomectomy can be performed with three methods of surgery, though the type of method that will be most effective depends greatly on the size, location, and the number of fibroids present.

These three methods include:

  • Hysteroscopy, which is used when fibroids are located on the inner wall of the uterus but have not grown into the wall of the uterus
  • Laparoscopy to remove smaller fibroids that have grown on the outside of the uterus
  • Laparotomy, which is often necessary in cases of large fibroids, the presence of multiple fibroids, or when fibroids have grown into the uterine wall

At Coyle Institute, we offer myomectomy procedures using laparoscopic surgery methods that are assisted through the use of da Vinci surgery. Unlike conducting the procedure in an open operating field, this specific type of laparoscopic myomectomy is minimally invasive, safer, faster, more effective, and far more precise. Like other laparoscopic surgeries, da Vinci does employ the use of technology; but its adoption of robotic assistance allows for greater access to the operation site with smaller incisions and less damage or risk to the uterus.

Risk and Reward with a Myomectomy

Like all surgical procedures, myomectomy does come with risks. However, those risks are significantly reduced by laparoscopy using the da Vinci surgical system.

Some of the common risks include:

  • Blood loss
  • Scarring or adhesions, which could lead to blocked fallopian tubes or intestinal complications
  • Complicated pregnancies in the future
  • Complications during childbirth
  • Need for hysterectomy, which can occur if bleeding becomes uncontrollable during the surgery or abnormalities other than fibroids alone are found during surgery
  • Risk of cancer spread, which can occur in instances when a cancerous tumor is mistaken for a fibroid and the tumor is broken during removal

As stated, these risks are significantly reduced by the minimally invasive and more precise nature of the da Vinci surgical system.

The potential benefits as compared to traditional open abdominal surgery include:

  • Fewer complications both during and after surgery
  • Less scarring at the incision site
  • Shorter recovery time in-hospital
  • Quicker recovery and to normal daily activities
  • A greater success rate for future pregnancy
  • Significantly less pain post-surgery
  • Shorter surgery time
  • Less blood loss during the procedure

Contact Coyle Institute Today!

Like that of minimally invasive hysterectomy, myomectomy recovery time will depend on the severity of your case and must be discussed with your physician. Among them may be temporary changes in diet, daily activity level, and sexual activity. Most often, myomectomy patients see significant results that improve their quality of everyday life, including relief from excessive menstrual bleeding, decreased pain and pressure in their pelvis, and improved levels of fertility.

Take the pain out of the equation and realize your dreams of having a family! Call Dr. Coyle and the caring, friendly team of healthcare experts at Coyle Institute today!