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Definition

This surgery involves removing fibroids from the wall of the uterus (womb). An open surgery requires an incision large enough to remove the fibroid. Fibroids are noncancerous tumors in the muscle of the uterus.

Uterine Fibroid
Uterine Fibroids

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Reasons for Procedure

Myomectomy is done to relieve problems caused by fibroids without doing a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). These problems can include:

  • Pelvic pain
  • Back pain
  • Pressure on the bladder
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Heavy periods
  • Difficulty becoming pregnant
  • Discomfort during sexual intercourse

The symptoms caused by fibroids are often successfully controlled with this procedure. This may include a return to a normal menstrual cycle and the ability to become pregnant.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a myomectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Surgical wound infection
  • Recurrence of fibroids
  • Damage to other organs
  • Wall of the uterus may be weakened if a large fibroid is removed
  • Reactions to anesthesia
  • Need for special precautions in pregnancy, such as the need to deliver by cesarean section
  • Pelvic adhesions that can cause pain and/or bowel blockage
  • Problems found during surgery that make removal of the uterus necessary
  • Severe scarring, resulting in infertility

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

  • Physical exam
  • Blood tests
  • Review your medications
  • Dilation and curettage (D&C) —a procedure to remove tissue from the lining of the uterus (endometrium)
  • Ultrasound—shows images of pelvic organs
  • Intravenous pyelogram —x-rays taken of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder after a contrast medium is injected into a peripheral vein (done if the fibroids are affecting the ureters)

You should discuss with your doctor:

  • Whether you should have hormone treatment for 2-4 months before the procedure—This treatment shrinks fibroids. It makes them small and reduces the risk of excess blood loss during the procedure.
  • If cancer is found in the uterus—One option is to remove the uterus during the myomectomy.
  • Whether you should donate your own blood for the procedure

Leading up to your procedure:

  • Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.
  • Arrange for a ride home from the hospital. Also, arrange for help at home.
  • Do not eat or drink for at least 8 hours before the procedure.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia is used most often. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery. It is given through an IV in your hand or arm. This may also include a mask or intubation.

Description of the Procedure

An incision will be made in the lower abdomen. Muscles will be separated, and tissue will be cut to expose the uterus. Next, the fibroids will be removed. In some cases, you will be given a medication to reduce the amount of blood loss.

After removing the fibroids, each layer of tissue in the uterus will be stitched. Lastly, the stitches will be used to close the incision area.

Immediately After Procedure

After the procedure, you will be:

  • Taken to the postoperative area
  • Watched for complications
  • Given IV fluids and medications

How Long Will It Take?

1-2 hours

Will It Hurt?

You will have abdominal pain and discomfort for 7-10 days. You will be given medication to help control the pain.

Average Hospital Stay

2-3 days

Post-procedure Care

Full recovery will take about 4-6 weeks. When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

  • Wear sanitary pads or napkins to absorb blood. The first menstruation after the procedure may be heavier than normal.
  • Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
  • Excessive vaginal bleeding (soaking more than one pad per hour) after the procedure
  • Excessive vaginal discharge that continues beyond one month after the procedure
  • Vaginal discharge has a foul odor
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Headaches, muscle aches, lightheadedness, or general ill feeling
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Pain and/or swelling in one or both legs
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Pain, burning, urgency or frequency of urination, or persistent blood in the urine
  • New, unexplained symptoms
  • Fibroid symptoms return after the procedure

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org

Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.womenshealth.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca

REFERENCES:

Uterine fibroid symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology website. Available at: http://www.sirweb.org/patients/uterine-fibroids/. Accessed December 11, 2017.

6/2/2011 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillancehttp://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T909182/Prevention-of-hospital-acquired-pneumonia: Mills E, Eyawo O, et al. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.

Last reviewed November 2018 by Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG  Last Updated: 12/20/2014