A hysterectomy can be performed to remove uterine fibroids, but women in their childbearing years typically want to preserve the ability to have a child. A myomectomy can remove problematic fibroids while keeping the uterus intact.
What is it?
A myomectomy is a surgical procedure that aims to remove uterine fibroids (or leiomyomas) from the patient’s uterus. This surgery allows for the noncancerous growths to be removed while preserving the childbearing function of the uterus. A robotic surgery involves the use of robotic arms operated by a surgeon through a small incision in the uterus. Typically, robotic surgery gives surgeons greater precision than conventional surgery and also results in less pain for the patient.
How to Prepare
Patients will be asked to stop eating and drinking in the hours before surgery. General or spinal anesthesia will be used depending on the specific procedure, so patients should speak to their doctors beforehand to determine if they will be awake during the surgery. Patients may be in the hospital for one to three nights depending on the extent of the surgery and complications. Mobility limitations and pain may make it difficult for patients to live normally following the surgery, so patients should talk to their surgeons about home preparations and pain medications.
What happens during the process?
Using small abdominal incisions, the surgeon is able to reach the uterine fibroids using robotic tools. If the fibroids are too large, they may be cut into several pieces and subsequently removed through the small incisions. After removing all of the fibroids, the surgeon will close the incisions.
Risks and Complications
- Infection of the uterus
- Development of scar tissue
- Infertility
- Excessive bleeding due to organ/tissue rupture
- Emergency hysterectomy (usually due to excessive bleeding)
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