THIS SITE
Home
What are fibroids
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment overview
Medical treatment
Myomectomy
Hysterectomy
Uterine artery embolisation
Operation movies
Fibroid Clinic
USEFUL INFORMATION
Other fibroid web sites
Heavy periods
Pelvic pain
Infertility
Endometriosis
Adhesions
Polycystic ovaries
CONTACT
Appointment
Find us
Downloads
Guestbook
Comments or enquiry
USEFUL LINKS
One Stop Fertility Clinic
Royal Free Hospital
Gynaecology Workshops
MRCOG & DRCOG Courses
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The Hysterectomy Association
Really Useful Software
SEARCH THIS SITE
PicoSearch  
  Help

SITE DESIGN
Webmeddesign.com © 2007
Information about uterine fibroids
Minimally Invasive Therapy Unit & Endoscopy Training Centre
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Royal Free Hospital
Pond Street
Hampstead
London NW3 2QG, UK

Laparoscopic myomectomy

Laparoscopic myomectomy is also done using a narrow telescope and miniature instruments, but these are inserted into the body through the abdomen (stomach). Typically, for instance, the laparoscope is placed in the umbilicus (belly button) and the other instruments are put lower down (see diagram). This type of operation is used when the fibroids are on the outside of the uterus, provided there are not too many of them and they are not too large. The fibroids are excised using instruments such as scissors, grasping forceps, and diathermy or laser. The uterus is then usually repaired with sutures (stitches), and the fibroids removed either through one of the small abdominal incisions following morcellation (cutting into small pieces) or via the vagina.

Laparoscopic myomectomy is a more difficult procedure than hysteroscopic myomectomy, and takes longer. Bleeding can be more of a problem, so the chance of requiring a blood transfusion is greater. Hospital stay is typically 3 to 4 days, and recovery a few weeks.

PROS
Small external scars
Complications not that common
Relatively short hospital stay
Recovery in a few weeks
Less risk of adhesions (scar tissue) than with laparotomy

CONS
Only suitable for a few small to medium sized fibroids which are situated mostly on the outside of the uterus

Return

THIS SITE: Home ¦ What are fibroids ¦ Symptoms ¦ Diagnosis ¦ Treatment overview ¦ Medical treatment ¦ Myomectomy ¦ Hysterectomy ¦ Uterine artery embolisation ¦ Operation movies ¦ Fibroid Clinic
USEFUL INFORMATION: Other fibroid web sites ¦ Heavy periods ¦ Pelvic pain¦ Infertility ¦ Endometriosis ¦ Adhesions ¦ Polycystic ovaries
CONTACT: Appointment ¦ Find us ¦ Downloads ¦ Guestbook ¦ Comments or enquiry
USEFUL LINKS: One Stop Fertility Clinic ¦ Royal Free Hospital ¦ Gynaecology Workshops ¦ MRCOG & DRCOG Courses ¦ Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ¦ The Hysterectomy Association ¦ Really Useful Software

MEDICAL NOTES
The early history of laparoscopic myomectomy

Laparoscopic myomectomy was first described by Kurt Semm, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the University of Kiel, Germany. Semm was one of the pioneers of modern laparoscopic surgery. He developed a range of miniature instruments which are still used today. He also introduced laparoscopic suturing, and it was this innovation which made it possible to perform major laparoscopic procedures such as myomectomy safely and effectively.