Fibroid enucleation

Newer procedures focus on preserving the uterus by enucleating the fibroid – this is also possible with older women who do not wish to have a child. The relapse rate for growth of a fibroid following surgical removal is at around 10-30%.

Abdominal myomectomy (by means of laparotomy))

Surgical removal of one or more fibroids by making an incision in the abdomen. This procedure is usually applied for deep-seated, intramural fibroids.

Advantages:

The uterus is left intact and it is therefore still possible to become pregnant.

Disadvantages:

The symptoms associated with fibroids may occur again if new fibroids develop. The recovery period is 2-4 weeks. Complications may occur following the operation such as increased blood loss, infections, damage to adjacent organs and proliferations. It may then only be possible to give birth at a later stage with a caesarean section.

Laparoscopic or hysteroscopic myomectomy

Surgical removal of one or more fibroids by means of laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. The fibroids can be removed using small specialist instruments that are inserted into the abdomen or the vagina. This procedure is usually applied for subserosal or submucosal fibroids.

Advantages:

The procedure is less invasive than open abdominal fibroid removal.

Disadvantages:

The method is not suitable for very large or deep-seated fibroids. The recovery period is 1-4 weeks. Complications may occur following the operation such as increased blood loss, infections, damage to adjacent organs and proliferations. It may then only be possible to give birth at a later stage with a cesarean section.