Some women with uterine fibroids need a minimally invasive myomectomy

Uterine fibroids are common, especially when women are in their 30s and 40s. These non-cancerous growths, also known as leiomyomas or myomas, develop and grow in the muscular tissue of the uterus. Sometimes, they are small and don’t cause any problems. Other times, they cause pain and health issues. Our San Antonio OBGYNs diagnose and treat these fibroids, sometimes with a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery called a myomectomy.

When do our San Antonio OBGYNs recommend a procedure to remove uterine fibroids?

Patients who have fibroids that cause painful or problematic symptoms may need treatment. Sometimes, medications may help, but in other cases, our OBGYNs may need to remove the growths. Here are some of the symptoms that require treatment.

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Painful periods
• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Pelvic pain
• Fertility problems
• A fibroid that is growing rapidly
• A growth that might be an ovarian tumor or something other than a fibroid may need to be removed and biopsied

Once our surgeons remove uterine fibroids, they do not return, but others may develop. One of the advantages of a myomectomy vs. a hysterectomy is that the procedure leaves the uterus intact. This allows women who want to become pregnant to have children after the procedure.

How our highly skilled surgeons perform a myomectomy

Our San Antonio OBGYNs perform virtually all myomectomies using minimally invasive techniques. They may perform a laparoscopy, a hysteroscopy or a combination of the two. They evaluate the following factors to determine their approach.

• The fibroid’s location in the uterus
• How many fibroids a patient has
• The fibroid’s size
• The patient’s age and health

During laparoscopic surgery, our team performs the procedure through a few very small abdominal incisions. They insert a lighted instrument called a laparoscope, with a camera attached to show them the uterus. They insert surgical instruments through the small incisions and remove the fibroid(s).

If our physicians choose to perform a hysteroscopy, they go through the vagina. They thread a hysteroscope into the opening of the uterus. A camera on the instrument locates the growths, and then our OBGYNs remove them.

After a myomectomy, our team always sends fibroids to the pathology lab to make sure that they are non-cancerous.

Surgical risks, benefits and recovery

Because almost all myomectomies are minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, the complication rates are low, but with all surgeries, there are always some risks.

• Blood loss
• Infection
• Developing scar tissue that might cause fertility issues
• Higher risk for C-sections after the procedure

Patients usually benefit from having a myomectomy. They feel better because the procedure relieves their problems. Patients whose uterine fibroids were causing infertility may see improvements in their chances of getting pregnant.

Women who have a minimally invasive procedure will need to recover at home for about two to four weeks. They may have pain for a few days after the procedure, along with vaginal bleeding and discharge that lasts up to a few weeks. Our physicians also recommend not having sexual intercourse or using tampons for six weeks after surgery. Patients should not lift more than 10 pounds for the first week after the procedure.

Our San Antonio OBGYNs can help women who have fibroids that are causing painful symptoms. Contact us for an appointment.