Still Want Kids? Treat Uterine Fibroids with Myomectomy
Most women with uterine fibroids do not present any symptoms. However, even if you’re asymptomatic, if you still want to have children, you may want to look into having a myomectomy procedure.
- Related: Do I Have Uterine Fibroids?
“If you have a fibroid, it might be impinging into the lining of the uterus. That may make it difficult for you to hold onto a pregnancy,” explains Jon Sullivan MD, of TriHealth Women’s Services Northeast. "These women are really good candidates for having a myomectomy.”
What is a Myomectomy?
A myomectomy surgically removes fibroid tumors while leaving your uterus in place. This treatment is usually a good option for women who want to have children because it can usually preserve reproductive capacity.
On the other hand, women who do present symptoms, but are finished having children, may choose to have a hysterectomy instead.
Ways a Myomectomy is Performed
#1: Abdominal Incision
“The basic approach is that you make an abdominal incision, and then, actually make an incision into the uterus to remove the fibroid,” Dr. Sullivan explains.
At TriHealth, we offer minimally invasive alternatives, which include:
- Traditional laparoscopy - During this procedure, long-handled surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions, including a laparoscope (thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end) that takes images inside your body. Those images are then sent to a video monitor to help guide the surgeon as he or she operates.
- da Vinci myomectomy - During da Vinci myomectomy, your surgeon operates through a few small incisions, instead of a large open one. This procedure is similar to a traditional laparoscopy; however, it features a 3D high-definition vision system and special wristed instruments that bend and rotate much greater than the human wrist, enabling your surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision and control. Learn more about da Vinci myomectomy at TriHealth
#2: Vaginally
If you have a fibroid that is intruding into the lining of the uterus, your doctor may suggest removing it vaginally.
During this procedure, your doctor inserts an instrument into your uterus through the vagina. “It has a blade on the side of it, which goes at a high revolution. You put it up against the fibroid and it can whittle away at the fibroid,” Dr. Sullivan says.