Risks and Side Effects of a Myomectomy
When fibroids are causing troublesome symptoms, and pain, and interfere with your normal activities, it is important to be aware that there are many treatment options available to relieve this burden. These treatment options can result in a decrease in symptoms, and in the case of a hysterectomy or a myomectomy, remove the fibroids completely.
Unlike a hysterectomy, which removes the fibroids by removing the entire uterus that contains them, a myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids, while keeping the uterus intact. Though it is actually more invasive than a hysterectomy, a myomectomy is an alternative to a hysterectomy for women that plan to bear children, or whose fibroids may be the cause of fertility issues.
As with all major surgeries, a myomectomy procedure does come with its own set of side effects and risks.
Some of which are:
Blood Loss:
Many women who undergo a myomectomy report an improvement in fibroid symptoms such as pelvis pressure and heavy bleeding. However, a myomectomy is still major surgery, and though it has a relatively low complication rate, the procedure still comes with its own unique set of challenges and risks.
One of the biggest risks involved in a myomectomy is the risk of excessive blood loss.
Many women with fibroids already have low blood counts and even anemia due to the fibroid symptoms of abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding. This, therefore, puts them at a much higher risk of problems due to blood loss.
Scar Tissue:
Due to the incisions that are done inside the uterus in order to remove fibroids, there is a risk of developing bands of scar tissue after surgery.
Pregnancy and Childbirth Complications:
Women of childbearing years may opt to have a myomectomy, especially over the option of a hysterectomy. However, a myomectomy can cause an increase in some risks during the delivery of a child. Though this is rare, it does happen and may result in a cesarean delivery to avoid rupturing the uterus during labor.
Increased Chance of a Hysterectomy:
Depending on the size, number, and location of fibroids, sometimes the surgeon may have to remove the uterus completely. Though this rarely happens, if the bleeding during a myomectomy becomes uncontrollable or there are additional abnormalities found in the uterus, sometimes the uterus needs to be removed as well.
Spread of Cancer:
During a myomectomy surgery, there is a very rare chance of a cancerous tumor being mistaken for a fibroid. As a result of trying to remove an unknown to be cancerous fibroid, there is the risk that it could lead to the spread of cancer.
Other potential risks and complications of a myomectomy are:
- Hemorrhage
- Injury to the uterus
- Damage to the nearby organs of the urinary system
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Eventual re-growth of fibroids
Though these risks and complications may be rare, they do happen. Therefore it’s important to be aware of them before deciding on any treatment plan.
In the end, you may find that both a hysterectomy and a myomectomy come with too many side effects and risks, and you may wish to learn more about a much less invasive procedure to remove fibroids, such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization, which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional.
In our next article, we will look at some of the things that can be done to help prevent possible surgical complications before choosing to have a myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids.
