Myomectomy

Myomectomies are carried out under general anaesthetic. They usually take one to two hours.

If you have a myomectomy involving keyhole surgery (laparoscopic or robotic), your consultant will make a few small incisions in your tummy. They will then insert a laparoscope (a thin telescopic instrument with a camera) through the incisions to investigate and remove the fibroids.

In an abdominal myomectomy (open surgery), your surgeon makes a single larger incision across your tummy to access your uterus and remove the fibroids.

For a robotic myomectomy, your surgeon will use the da Vinci surgical system – which uses advanced robotic arms – to assist. In the operating theatre, your surgeon will operate the robotic arms using a console. These arms hold a camera and surgical equipment and enable the surgeon to make very precise movements in the body. Robotic surgery allows your surgeon to remove larger fibroids through small incisions. In single-port robotic surgery, usually only a single cut is made to perform the surgery.

The advantage of a robotic myomectomy is that it enables your surgeon to carry out the procedure with greater precision. This causes less scarring and means you will recover more quickly.

If you have laparoscopic myomectomy, you will normally spend one night in the hospital. After that, you will return home to recover. The full recovery time is about two to four weeks.

If you have an abdominal myomectomy, you may need to stay in hospital for a few nights afterwards. The recovery time at home is also longer – up to six weeks.

If you have a robotic myomectomy, you may be able to go home that same day, but some people will need to stay overnight in the hospital. After that, you will return home to recover. The full recovery time is about two to four weeks.

Your consultant will discuss with you how you can prepare for the surgery. You will be advised to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the operation. You will be given appropriate pre-operative advice during your assessment prior to the surgery to assess fitness.