Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids-Symptoms and its Surgical Procedures
Uterine fibroids may or may not be painful. In many cases, there is no bleeding or discomfort. However, if uterine fibroids cause pain or bleeding with a lot of discomfort, one must seek immediate medical attention. Two most common symptoms of uterine fibroids are heavy menstrual bleeding and prolonged menstrual periods that may last for 7 days or so. Pain in the pelvic area or high pelvic pressure, increased frequency of urination, difficulty in retention of urine in the urinary bladder, constipation and backache are the other visible symptoms of uterine fibroids.
If these symptoms are visible, a patient must consult a surgeon and undergo a surgical treatment, provided an expert recommends a surgery. There are various surgical treatments available to cure uterine fibroids, such as:
(a) Endometrial Ablation: Endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the uterus. This surgical procedure helps to treat small fibroids inside the uterus. Two common ways of doing an ablation are. 1. with a heated balloon and 2. with a tool that uses microwave energy to destroy the uterine lining and fibroids. Getting pregnant is hard after this procedure; however, many women conceive even after this surgery. Women who get pregnant after endometrial ablation are at a higher risk for miscarriage and other pregnancy related problems.
(b) Myomectomy or fibroids removal: This procedure can improve the chances of conceiving if the fibroids are inside the uterus. There are 3 types of myomectomy:
- Abdominal Myomectomy (open method) is preferred if there are multiple fibroids, large in size or deep rooted inside the uterus.
- Laparoscopic Myomectomy (minimally invasive surgery) uses slender instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen to remove the fibroids. Safe removal of small and large fibroids depends on the skill of a gynaecologist. The main advantage of this surgery is that it ensures faster recovery, little discomfort, shorter hospital stay and is cosmetically more pleasant.
- Hysteroscopic Myomectomy is preferred if the fibroids are located inside the uterus (submucosal). A long, slender scope (hysteroscope) is passed through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. The fibroid is then resected out under direct visualization with a hysteroscope.
(c) Hysterectomy or uterus removal: This is preferred for those women who have no future plans of pregnancy. This is the only treatment which prevents re-growth of fibroids. The types of hysterectomy include:
- Subtotal, or partial, hysterectomy: In this procedure, only the upper part of the uterus is removed.
- Total hysterectomy: The entire uterus and the cervix are removed and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed. This procedure is called a total hysterectomy with bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy.
- Radical hysterectomy: This procedure removes the uterus, the tissues present on both sides of the cervix, and the upper part of the vagina.
These surgeries are performed in specialized clinics under the supervision of expert gynecologists who may choose any of these surgeries depending on the location, size of the fibroids and future plans for pregnancy.
CONCLUSION: There are many super specialty clinics in Singapore where these procedures are available. This requires advanced equipment and skilled professionals or gynaecologists. Thus one must consult a gynaecologist before undergoing any of these surgeries. Reputed clinics in Singapore have many expert gynaecologists who perform these types of surgeries.
Article Ref: http://www.articlesbase.com/womens-health-articles/uterine-fibroids-symptoms-and-its-surgical-procedures-7242323.html