Uterine Fibroids

WHAT ARE THE UTERINE FIBROIDS?

Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that develop in the wall of the uterus, primarily affecting women of reproductive age. These growths typically enlarge gradually over time, although in some cases, they may appear suddenly.

WHAT SYMPTOMS DO UTERINE FIBROIDS CAUSE?

The discomfort and complications caused by fibroids depend on their size, number, and location within the uterus. The most common symptoms of fibroids include:

Abdominal pain
Bleeding
Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
Constipation
Urinary disturbances
Dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse)
Infertility
Miscarriages

WHY IS LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT RECOMMENDED?

When the removal of fibroids is necessary, laparoscopic myomectomy stands out as the safest and most effective treatment method.

This endoscopic, thorough removal of fibroids without damaging healthy tissue not only relieves the woman from the symptoms of the condition but also restores the proper anatomy of the uterus without the risks of complications associated with traditional open surgery (such as bleeding, infection, and healing disorders).

CAN ENDOSCOPIC REMOVAL OF FIBROIDS BE HARMFUL?

In approximately 1 in 250 to 1 in 700 women undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy, there may be an underlying malignant fibroid (sarcoma).

In such cases, due to the fragmentation of the fibroid inside the abdominal cavity (to remove it through the small incisions), there is a significant risk of spreading the malignancy within the patient’s abdomen. The same risk applies to laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy procedures.

This risk has been well-known for years across the developed medical world (America, Europe, and Australia), and patients are thoroughly informed by their physicians before undergoing any such procedure.

Since 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidance prohibiting the unprotected fragmentation of tissue in women undergoing laparoscopic fibroid removal or subtotal hysterectomy.

WHAT SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND?

In order for patients to continue benefiting from the undeniable advantages of laparoscopic surgery without risking their health due to unprotected fragmentation of fibroids, a special closed bag system is used.

This bag is inserted into the abdominal cavity through the laparoscopic ports, and the fragmentation of the fibroids takes place inside it, protected and without the risk of spreading any potential malignancy.

The cost of such a bag is by no means a barrier to its use.