What is Myomectomy—Open Surgery?

This surgery involves removing fibroids from the wall of the uterus (womb). Fibroids are noncancerous tumors in the muscle of the uterus.

Uterine Fibroid © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Myomectomy is done to relieve problems caused by fibroids without doing a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). These problems can include:

• Pelvic pain
• Back pain
• Pressure on the bladder
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Difficulty becoming pregnant
• Discomfort during sexual intercourse

The symptoms caused by fibroids are often successfully controlled with this procedure. This may include a return to a normal menstrual cycle and the ability to become pregnant.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a myomectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Surgical wound infection
• Recurrence of fibroids
• Damage to other organs
• Wall of the uterus may be weakened if a large fibroid is removed
• Reactions to anesthesia
• Need for special precautions in pregnancy (eg, need to deliver by cesarean section )
• Pelvic adhesions that can cause pain and/or bowel blockage
• Problems found during surgery that make removal of the uterus necessary
• Severe scarring, resulting in infertility

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Obesity
• Chronic or recent illness *...