Myomectomy and Hysterectomy: Surgical Treatments for Uterine Fibroids
Myomectomy is a surgery to remove fibroids without taking out the healthy tissue of the uterus. It is best for women who wish to have children after treatment for their fibroids or who wish to keep their uterus for other reasons. You can become pregnant after myomectomy. This procedure is considered standard of care for removing fibroids and preserving the uterus. Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the uterus, or womb. The doctor may also remove the fallopian tubes, ovaries and/or the cervix during the same surgery. It is important to know that most women undergoing hysterectomy DO NOT need to have their ovaries removed, and will therefore not experience menopausal symptoms after surgery. Hysterectomies are commonly performed as final treatment option for chronic issues such as: Uterine fibroids, Endometriosis, Pelvic support problems (i.e. uterine prolapse), Abnormal uterine bleeding, Cancer, and Chronic pelvic pain.
Abdominal Myomectomy
Abdominal myomectomy removes fibroids through an incision in the abdomen, ideally a bikini line incision. Abdominal myomectomy allows the surgeon to easily see pelvic organs which may be difficult to see when a patient has very large fibroids or multiple fibroids in difficult to reach areas. Based upon the patient’s needs and condition, the physician and patient will determine the optimal procedure. The disadvantages of abdominal myomectomy are that due to the invasiveness of the procedure the surgery requires a larger incision, general anesthesia, and has risk factors associated with abdominal surgery such as blood loss, pain and infection, and longer recovery. The hospital stay can last from 1-3 days and recovery time is generally 2-6 weeks.
Abdominal Hysterectomy
Abdominal hysterectomy removes the uterus and other pelvic organs through an incision in the abdomen. Abdominal hysterectomy allows the surgeon to easily see pelvic organs so it is usually done when cancer of the uterus, ovaries, or cervix is suspected or based upon the patients needs and condition.
The disadvantages of abdominal hysterectomy are that due to the invasiveness of the procedure the surgery requires general anesthesia, and has risk factors associated with abdominal surgery such as blood loss, pain and infection, and longer recovery. The hospital stay can last from 1-3 days and recovery time is generally 2-6 weeks.
