LAPROSCOPY
Laparoscopic myomectomy involves the removal of fibroids through instruments inserted through tiny incisions near the abdomen. One incision, in the navel, is used to insert a slim telescope through which the procedure can be viewed by the doctor performing the laparoscopy. Two other incisions, near the pubic line, are used to gently insert the tools that will perform the operation.
Although the incisions are tiny, laparoscopy is still considered surgery and recovery takes about one week for most women.
Those fibroids that are attached to the uterus by stalks, pedunculated myomas, are great candidates for this procedure, as are subserous myomas, which are close to the surface of the uterus. Submucous fibroids, which are deep in the uterine wall, are the hardest to remove through laparoscopy, and it is not always the best choice if there are a large number of fibroids of any type.
After the fibroid is cut from the uterus, it is trimmed into small pieces that can be removed through the tiny incisions. Following their removal, the uterus is repaired and some women are able to leave the hospital that same day. In other cases an overnight stay is recommended, but it is usually possible to walk later that same day, drive the next week, and return to work the week following that.
While some women have been able to conceive and deliver babies after having a laparoscopy, the ability of the uterus to handle all the stress during a pregnancy is still a factor. While some women are able to conceive and carry a child to birth after having their fibroids removed by laparoscopic treatment, not all can do so. Since studies on this are still uncertain, if future pregnancies are desired you should discuss this with your gynecologist, who may decide on a different treatment option.
LAPROSCOPY
Laparoscopic myomectomy involves the removal of fibroids through instruments inserted through tiny incisions near the abdomen. One incision, in the navel, is used to insert a slim telescope through which the procedure can be viewed by the doctor performing the laparoscopy. Two other incisions, near the pubic line, are used to gently insert the tools that will perform the operation.
Although the incisions are tiny, laparoscopy is still considered surgery and recovery takes about one week for most women.
Those fibroids that are attached to the uterus by stalks, pedunculated myomas, are great candidates for this procedure, as are subserous myomas, which are close to the surface of the uterus. Submucous fibroids, which are deep in the uterine wall, are the hardest to remove through laparoscopy, and it is not always the best choice if there are a large number of fibroids of any type.
After the fibroid is cut from the uterus, it is trimmed into small pieces that can be removed through the tiny incisions. Following their removal, the uterus is repaired and some women are able to leave the hospital that same day. In other cases an overnight stay is recommended, but it is usually possible to walk later that same day, drive the next week, and return to work the week following that.
While some women have been able to conceive and deliver babies after having a laparoscopy, the ability of the uterus to handle all the stress during a pregnancy is still a factor. While some women are able to conceive and carry a child to birth after having their fibroids removed by laparoscopic treatment, not all can do so. Since studies on this are still uncertain, if future pregnancies are desired you should discuss this with your gynecologist, who may decide on a different treatment option.
