Laparoscopic Myomectomy Surgery

What Is a Fibroid?

In women, especially after the age of 35, benign tumors originating from the muscle layer of the uterus (myometrium) are called fibroids. It cannot be said that fibroids develop in all women, but they are seen in approximately 25% of women worldwide. They usually occur in women over the age of 35, but often begin to appear closer to the age of 40. Fibroids do not pose a danger unless they grow excessively, damage other organs, or cause heavy bleeding. For this reason, not every fibroid requires surgery. However, if fibroids exceed their normal limits, grow excessively, and start to damage other organs, they need to be removed surgically. An abnormally large fibroid can cause heavy bleeding or menstrual irregularity due to the pressure it creates on the front wall of the uterus. It may also put pressure on the intestines, leading to constipation. In such cases, the fibroid causing these problems must be removed surgically.

What Is Laparoscopic Myomectomy?

Laparoscopic myomectomy is the name given to the removal of fibroids that have grown excessively and started to damage surrounding organs, using the laparoscopic method. In simpler terms, it is the procedure of reaching the uterus through an incision made in the navel area, locating the fibroid with laparoscopic instruments, removing the fibroids present in the uterus, and cleaning the area of fibroids. Laparoscopic myomectomy is not a method applied to every patient with fibroids. This method is used only in cases where fibroids are larger than 5 cm, cause complaints such as menstrual irregularities, frequent urination, or constipation, grow rapidly in regular check-ups, or create risks of infertility or miscarriage during pregnancy.

What Are the Advantages of the Laparoscopic Myomectomy Method?

Compared to other surgical methods, especially the open surgery method, laparoscopic myomectomy has the advantage of shorter and faster wound healing since the incision is smaller. In addition, due to the smaller wound, the risk of infection is also greatly reduced, and because the stitches are smaller, the surgical scar is finer and less noticeable aesthetically.

Does This Method Have Risks?

Although advantageous, its risk is considered similar to that of open surgery. In other words, the laparoscopic myomectomy method carries as much risk as the open surgery method. After all, both are surgical procedures performed with different techniques, and every surgery carries some degree of risk. When advantages and risks are compared, laparoscopic myomectomy is considered more practical. Since the discharge period is shorter and the surgical scar is smaller, this method has become more useful and more preferred. Even in the treatment of any disease, treatment methods should be carefully researched and the most appropriate method for the patient should be chosen. Especially when it comes to surgery, both the patient and the doctor should act more carefully. Not every treatment method is suitable for every patient. Laparoscopic myomectomy is quite practical for many patients and provides very successful results. However, there are also patients for whom surgery with this method may not be appropriate. If the patient has more than four fibroids, or if the fibroids are around 9–10 cm in size, this method is not preferred. Still, the final and most accurate decision will be given by gynecologists specialized in this field.

How Is the Decision for Surgery Made?

The gynecologist will make the final and clearest decision after evaluating the results of the tests and examinations performed beforehand to determine whether the patient is ready for this surgery. Especially if the gynecologist has been in contact with the patient for a long time, the process becomes easier, since being examined by the same doctor for a long time allows the doctor to know the patient better. This means that the gynecologist can make the healthiest decision for the patient. It is very important that the specialist not only knows the patient’s other gynecological conditions but also their existing non-gynecological diseases.