Why you should avoid a myomectomy surgery to treat fibroids
Myomectomy is a surgery that is performed to remove uterine fibroids or myomas.
However, since the procedure has been around since 1845, it's become more outdated as newer treatments, like uterine fibroid embolization, which can treat fibroids quicker and with fewer complications.
Let's go over some of the risks before you decide which treatment is best for you.
There are surgical risks
Risk of infection
Every surgical procedure carries a risk of infection, and myomectomy is no exception. While it's uncommon, it's still a notable potential complication.
Even with strict aseptic techniques and antibiotics, there's a chance that bacteria could enter the body during surgery and cause an infection.
This can lead to prolonged hospital stays, additional treatments, and in severe cases, serious illness. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of this risk when considering any surgical procedure.
Risk of significant bleeding
Since the procedure involves makes an incision into the uterine wall, significant bleeding can potentially occur.
It's important for the medical team to closely monitor and manage this potential complication to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient.
Risk of anesthesia-related problems
Anesthesia is crucial for surgical procedures like myomectomy to ensure patient comfort and prevent pain.
However, it carries potential complications. Some may experience adverse reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, or allergies.
Rare cases may involve breathing difficulties or changes in blood pressure. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is also a risk, affecting concentration and memory.
There are potential risks to fertility
There's risk for potential damage to the uterus
During the procedure, incisions are made in the uterine wall to remove fibroids, which can inadvertently lead to scarring or weaken the uterine wall.
Scar tissue formation can complicate future pregnancies, increasing the risk of uterine rupture during childbirth.
Additionally, removing multiple or large fibroids may cause extensive damage, making uterine repair difficult. This can potentially affect fertility or require a hysterectomy.
There's increased risk for future cesarean sections
Women who undergo a myomectomy may have a higher likelihood of needing a cesarean section in future pregnancies.
The incisions made during the surgery can weaken the uterine wall, making a vaginal delivery potentially risky. Further, there's an increased chance of uterine rupture during labor, a serious complication that threatens both the mother and baby's life.
Additionally, adhesions from surgical scarring might obstruct the baby's passage through the birth canal. Therefore, doctors usually recommend a planned cesarean section as a safer alternative for childbirth after a myomectomy.
There's risk that your fibroids come back
How likely is it?
After a myomectomy, fibroid regrowth is possible.
The likelihood depends on a woman's age and the size of her fibroids at the time of surgery.
Younger women with multiple fibroids may have a higher chance of developing new fibroids due to their longer reproductive lifespan and the potential for microscopic fibroids to grow.
Studies indicate that up to 50% of women may develop new fibroids within 5 years of surgery.
This may cause you to get additional procedures
If fibroids grow back after a myomectomy, additional surgeries may be necessary.
This is especially true for women with multiple fibroids or those who are younger at the time of the first procedure, as they have a higher risk of recurrence.
Undergoing repeated surgeries is physically and emotionally taxing. And with each additional operation carrying its own risks of complications, you could experience longer recovery times.
Therefore, considering the potential need for additional surgeries is important when choosing a myomectomy as a fibroid treatment. Discussing this aspect with your healthcare provider is vital to make an informed decision that addresses both immediate symptom resolution and potential future implications.
Myomectomy can impact quality of life
It may require 2-4 weeks of recovery
After a myomectomy, recovery time varies based on health and procedure type.
Abdominal myomectomy may require 2-4 weeks, while laparoscopic or hysteroscopic myomectomy may recover within a few days to a week.
There are emotional side effects of surgery
Patients may experience anxiety or fear about the procedure, potential complications, and the recovery period.
Post-surgery, feelings of relief may be coupled with discomfort or fatigue, potentially leading to emotional fluctuations.
Why uterine fibroid embolization is the best treatment option
Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a minimally invasive treatment for fibroids that offers advantages over traditional surgical methods. Recovery time is shorter, allowing women to resume regular activities within a week. It offers a more durable solution with a lower recurrence rate compared to myomectomy.
It blocks blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink and die off.
UFE targets fibroids directly, leaving uterine tissue unharmed and posing less risk to uterine health