Myomectomy

Fibroid removal as an alternative to hysterectomy

If you have uterine fibroids, your doctor might recommend that you have a myomectomy. A myomectomy involves the removal of the fibroids from the uterus. This is an alternative to a hysterectomy, which involves removing the entire uterus.

A myomectomy can preserve your ability to have children. However, with the uterus still in place, you might develop more fibroids in the future, which could require additional surgery.

Center for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS), Newton-Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-243-5205
Fax: 617-243-6922

Types of myomectomy we offer

Our surgical team perform three types of myomectomy: hysteroscopic myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, and open myomectomy.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy

A hysteroscopic myomectomy allows our surgeons to remove fibroids that are submucosal, or just below the uterine lining. This minimally invasive surgery involves a procedure called hysteroscopy. Your surgeon will insert a thin tube called a hysteroscope into the vagina and pass it into the uterus. The hysteroscope contains a video camera and allows small instruments to be passed through the tube so your surgeon can shave the fibroids out.

There are no incisions involved with a hysteroscopic myomectomy. We usually perform this as an outpatient procedure. You’ll likely go home about an hour after the surgery is complete with a one-day recovery period.

Laparoscopic myomectomy

A laparoscopic myomectomy allows our surgeons to remove the following types of fibroids:

• Intramural (within the uterine wall’s muscle)
• Subserosal or pedunculated (on the outside of the uterus)

This procedure involves the use of laparoscopy, a minimally invasive approach. Your surgeon will remove your fibroids through small incisions and the use of a tool called a laparoscope, a thin tube that includes a video camera so your surgeon can locate the fibroids.

We usually perform laparoscopic myomectomy as an outpatient procedure. You’ll likely go home about one to two hours after the surgery is complete with a one- to two-week recovery period.

Open myomectomy

An open myomectomy involves the use of a large incision in the abdomen to remove fibroids. Because our surgeons can remove most fibroids through one of our minimally invasive techniques, most women don’t need to have this procedure. An open myomectomy is needed only when a patient isn’t a good candidate for a minimally invasive approach.