MyomectomyThis is surgical removal of the fibroids alone. It is usually only offered to women who want children, because there is a very high incidence of re-growth of fibroids and adhesions. (Adhesions occur when tissues grow into one another after surgery causing severe pain and requiring surgical correction.) Myomectomy is an invasive surgical technique often taking longer than hysterectomy and requiring considerable convalescence like hysterectomy. As with hysterectomy, if the fibroids are small the procedure can be performed through the vagina or, in a few centres, laparoscopically (via a small incision) or hysteroscopically (using a a tubular instrument that can be inserted along the vagina into the uterus). Women maintain fertility and a high percentage (studies vary), 40-50% will go on to achieve pregnancy afterwards, if fibroids were preventing conception. Laparoscopic myomectomy is discussed further in this article from Capital Doctor, February 2004. However most women having myomectomy will need to have a hysterectomy later. There is some debate at the moment about which is more successful if a woman wishes to become pregnant - myomectomy or embolisation. Women with 'pregnancy wishes' were originally told not to have embolisation by NICE, so there is less data for embolisation. A number of studies have been carried out comparing the two and some are still underway. One Interventional Radiologist has treated 60 women who have had successful pregnancies after embolisation. Read our Myomectomy FAQs |
You are here:
Our Survey and Guidelines
NICE Review of their Clinical Guidlines on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding carried out by part of RCOG is launched 14th March'18. FEmISA condemns it as unsafe for women - see our press release. FEmISA queries NICE's figures on hysteroscopy. This is regressive - see our concerns and our submission to this NICE eEview.
See FEmISA's new report on NICE compliance and patient choice for fibroid treatments part of this report was included in the recent APPG On Women's Health report Informed Choice? Giving women control of their healthcare
Thanks to all who took part in our survey about the information and choices for their fibroid treatment. Please click here for the Patient Information and Choice Survey report and here for our report on access to UFE treatment with The Medical Technology Group and All Party Parliamentary Group on Improving Patient Access to Medical Technologies.