Around 9% of the worldwide female population gets a fibroid diagnosis. Although not life-threatening, fibroids do alter the reproductive functions of a woman. The laparoscopic Myomectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes the fibroids using minute abdominal incisions. Unlike hysterectomy, Myomectomy targets the removal of just the fibroids, keeping the uterus and adjoining reproductive organs intact.
Table Of Contents
- Why is Laparoscopic Myomectomy done?
- How is the Laparoscopic Myomectomy performed?
- Manual Laparoscopic Myomectomy
- Robotic Laparoscopic Myomectomy
- Recovery after Laparoscopic Myomectomy
- What are the Risks of Laparoscopic Myomectomy?
Why is Laparoscopic Myomectomy done?
If you consult a gynecologist or a primary care physician with complaints of heavy menstrual flow, severe cramping, urinary incontinence with a formal fibroid diagnosis, your doctor might suggest undergoing the procedure.
You might have to consider a laparoscopic myomectomy if:
- You are trying to conceive with your partner
- The prevalence of fibroids has spread and is affecting fertility
- Don’t want to undergo a hysterectomy to remove the uterus
Depending on your test reports, the surgeon or consulting physician will proceed with the next treatment step.
How is the Laparoscopic Myomectomy performed?
The surgeon can perform the laparoscopic Myomectomy via two techniques – manually or via robotic assistance.
Manual Laparoscopic Myomectomy
- Following that, the surgeon makes four small incisions on the lower abdomen, measuring 0.5 inches in length.
- The patient’s belly is pumped with carbon dioxide gas to enhance the visibility of the surgical field.
- The surgeon then inserts a laparoscope through one incision on the lower abdomen. Next, the surgical instruments are inserted through another incision.
- Once in the surgical field, the fibroids are excised using the surgical tools, ensuring to check throughout the area to ensure none are left behind.
- In the manual laparoscopic Myomectomy, the anesthesiologist first puts the patient under anesthesia.
Robotic Laparoscopic Myomectomy
- In the robotic laparoscopic Myomectomy, the robotic arm controls the surgical instruments inside the patient’s abdomen.
- The patient is put under anesthesia, followed by the surgeon making the smaller incisions to insert the probe and the surgical instruments.
- Using the robotic arm, the fibroids are excised into smaller pieces for easier removal from the attachment site.
- The excised fibroids are either taken out through the abdominal incision or pushed out of the vagina.
Once the surgeon removes all the fibroids, the surgical instruments are pulled out of the incision and the laparoscope. The inserted carbon dioxide gas is released out of the abdomen. The incisions are sewed back in, and the patient is then transferred to the recovery room.
Recovery after Laparoscopic Myomectomy
Following the successful surgery, the patient is kept in the hospital for a day for further observation. This procedure is minimally invasive, and therefore the recovery can take 3-6 weeks.
The surgeon will prescribe a round of antibiotics and pain medications to cope with the pain and reduce the risks of infections in the surgical site.
Some women might experience minimal vaginal spotting around 5-6 weeks after the surgery. It is normal. However, in case of heavy bleeding or excruciating pain, it is always ideal to consult the surgeon for further guidance.
What are the Risks of Laparoscopic Myomectomy?
Laparoscopic Myomectomy has very low rates of risks and complications. However, since it is a surgical procedure, it is ideal to stay informed about some of the possible dangers, including:
- Excess blood loss
- Development of scar tissues
- Infection
- Hematoma and seroma
- It might indicate a need for a hysterectomy later
- Threats of further spread of cancerous tumor
Also, the complete removal of fibroids using laparoscopic Myomectomy doesn’t 100% guarantee that you won’t have a new fibroid developing in the uterus. Young women are at more recorded risks than older women.
