Lets know about fibroids
Fibroids are the most common benign (non-cancerous) tumours of the reproductive system. They develop during the reproductive years (15-45) and keep growing slowly until menopause.
Size of fibroids can range from microscopic to giant ones filling up the whole abdomen. The usual symptoms are:
Heavy or painful periods or both
Lump in abdomen
Pelvic pressure or pain
Infertility
Repeated miscarriages
Further reading
What is laparoscopic myomectomy all about?
A laparoscopic myomectomy is performed under general anaesthesia, i.e. you will be asleep throughout the procedure. The length of the procedure will depend on the complexity of your case but on average it will take 90-120 minutes.
After separating the fibroid from the uterus, it is normally broken down into small pieces inside the abdomen and taken out laparoscopically using an instrument called a “morcellator”. It is usually safe and this method avoids a big cut on your tummy. However, there is a 1 in 500-7400 risk of spreading undiagnosed malignancy in the fibroid during morcellation.
We generally advise early mobilization to prevent formation of blood clots in your leg veins. Post operative pain could be similar to cramps or bruises and can be managed with routine analgesics. You shall be able to go home in 24-48 hours.
Laparoscopic view of a uterus studded with fibroids
A large fibroid removed in strips
A subserous fibroid