Myomectomy is a surgical procedure in which only the fibroid(s) are removed, preserving the uterus. As an alternative to hysterectomy, one advantage of a myomectomy is that the uterus is left in place, and childbearing remains an option. A disadvantage of a myomectomy is the uterus remains in place and fibroids can recur, requiring additional surgery.

Fibroids can be removed by hysteroscopic myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy or an open abdominal myomectomy.

• Hysteroscopic myomectomy is a technique used to remove fibroids that are submucosal (link to submucosal fibroid section). A hysteroscope, a thin tube containing a video camera, is passed through the cervix and into the uterus. The fibroid then removed by shaving it out.  There are no incisions with a hysteroscopic myomectomy. It is a day surgery procedure (you typically leave the hospital 1 hour after the completion of the procedure) with a 1-day recovery period.
  
   
• Laparoscopic myomectomy is a technique used to remove fibroids that are intramural (deep in the muscle of the uterine wall), subserosal or pedunculated (on the outside of the uterus).  This minimally invasive technique uses a laparoscopic technique (link to laparoscopy) to remove the fibroids through very small incisions. It is a day surgery procedure (you typically leave the hospital 1-2 hour after the completion of the procedure) with a 1-2 week recovery period.
  
   
• Open myomectomy uses a traditional large abdominal incision to remove the fibroids.  Most fibroids can be removed by minimally invasive techniques; the use of the open method is limited to women with specific situations not amenable to laparoscopic or hysteroscopic removal of fibroids.