Am I a Candidate for Myomectomy for Fibroids?

January 24, 2023 10:33 am Published by Meenakshi Jain, M.D., FACOG

Am I a candidate for myomectomy for fibroids? The answer depends on several factors. If you have symptomatic fibroids, meaning painful periods and heavy bleeding, you could be a candidate for myomectomy. If you want to have children in the future, myomectomy may be the procedure to relieve your fibroid symptoms and still keep your uterus. Keep reading to find out about the types of myomectomies and which might be best for you.

It’s All About the Fibroids

Many women have no symptoms of fibroids and need no intervention unless that changes.

For those who do suffer from symptoms, how many symptomatic fibroids you have, their size, and their location all contribute to being a good candidate for a myomectomy. If you want to keep your uterus intact, this is accomplished with a myomectomy.

Fibroids are benign growths made of tissue and muscle that can grow inside the muscle of the uterus or even elsewhere in the pelvis. A myomectomy removes only the fibroids and leaves the uterus, so a woman can conceive in the future.

Types of Myomectomies

There are several types of procedures available to remove fibroids, a few being minimally invasive and one surgical type. Once Dr. Jain has determined how many fibroids there are, and their location, you may get a recommendation for which is best for you.

Minimally Invasive Hysteroscopic Myomectomy

The surgeon inserts a thin lighted scope into the vagina and through the cervix to the uterus. A liquid will follow so Dr. Jain can see the fibroids more clearly. Then each fibroid will be shaved off by a wire loop. Next the liquid will wash out the remaining fibroid pieces. 

This type is best for mucosal fibroids.

You can go home the same day. Recovery can be just a few days.

Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Myomectomy

This type is performed under general anesthesia. Tiny incisions are made in the abdomen with a lighted camera called a laparoscope inserted into one. Instruments are placed in the other ports to perform the procedure. Sometimes this is done robotically and this helps the surgeon remove the fibroids. They are cut into smaller pieces to be removed.

Most patients remain in the hospital one night. Recovery takes two to four weeks.

If they are too large, the surgeon will continue with another type.

Abdominal Myomectomy

Also known as an open myomectomy, this procedure requires a larger incision in the abdomen under general anesthesia. The surgeon removes the fibroids from the uterine wall. This type is chosen when fibroids are larger and more numerous. This type of procedure requires one to three days in the hospital. Recovery can take up to six weeks.

Final Thoughts

There is always a chance fibroids can grow back, especially if the patient is younger.

It’s important to discuss with Dr. Jain the best type of myomectomy for you.

Most women get relief from the symptoms of fibroids after a myomectomy.