Your gynecologist has recommended that you have surgery to remove fibroid tumors from
your uterus. But what does that actually mean?
The uterus is part of a woman's reproductive system. It's the organ that contains and protects
a growing fetus during pregnancy.
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow on the inner or outer wall of the uterus.
They are quite common - as many as 20% of women over 30 have them. In most cases fibroids
do not cause any discomfort and are never detected.
Occasionally, however, fibroid tumors can cause problems. Complications from fibroid
growth can include:
* Pressure on the urinary system. * Pressure on the intestines.
* Interference with the reproductive system * Or infection.
Because these tumors can grow to be very large, surgery is usually recommended in order to
restore health and to protect the uterus.
Your Procedure:
On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown.
You may receive a sedative by mouth and an intravenous line may be put in.
You will then be transferred to the operating table.
To begin, your groin will be clipped or shaved and the anesthesiologist will begin to administer
anesthesia - most probably general anesthesia by injection and inhalation mask.
The surgeon will then apply an antiseptic solution to the skin and will place a sterile
drape around the operative site.
After you are asleep, a horizontal incision will be made across your lower abdomen.
Your doctor will use an instrument called a retractor to pull the skin aside, exposing
your abdominal muscles.
The surgeon then separates the muscles by making a vertical incision.
Another retractor is used to pull aside the muscles and hold them in place. The fibroid
will now be visible.
Using a pair of forceps, your doctor will take hold of the fibroid and pull it up and
away from the wall of the uterus.
Next, you doctor will cut the connection between the fibroid and the uterus.
The fibroid is then removed.
A series of stitches are used to close incisions. First, the uterine wall is closed.
Then, the muscle retractor is removed and the abdominal muscles are sewn together.
Finally, the incision in the skin is closed
and a sterile bandage is applied to
the site.