Abdominal myomectomy

Abdominal myomectomy is the traditional operation for removing fibroids and is done through a laparotomy incision. If there are numerous, large fibroids, it is the only way to remove them as the other techniques are not suitable in such cases. Providing the fibroids are not very large, however, a "bikini" type incision can often be used (see diagram).

Abdominal myomectomy is a major operation. As it is generally done in the more difficult cases, complications are more common than with the other routes of surgery, or indeed with hysterectomy. Hospitalisation and recovery also take longer. Nonetheless, it is a good operation when the other procedures are contra-indicated as it is the most thorough type of myomectomy and yet still allows the uterus to be conserved in most patients.

	No limit to fibroid size, number or position Most likely procedure to remove all the fibroids
	Major abdominal incision Complications relatively more frequent Hospital stay 5 to 7 days Recovery takes several weeks Adhesions (scar tissue) more likely

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