Robotic Myomectomy Specialist

Why might I need robotic myomectomy surgery?

You might need robotic myomectomy if you have uterine fibroids, benign growths within the tissues lining your uterus. Fibroids could be very small and cause no symptoms at all, or they can grow to such a size that they make your abdomen swell. 

You can have one, a few, or numerous fibroids, and they could be a mixture of different sizes. Many women don’t experience any problems because of fibroids, but they can cause severe pain and heavy bleeding during menstruation.

What is robotic myomectomy?

Robotic myomectomy is a minimally invasive approach to removing fibroids from your uterus so you don’t need to undergo open surgery. The highly experienced gynecologists at Atlanta Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Center specialize in robotic procedures, including robot-assisted myomectomy.

The procedure involves making five tiny incisions ranging from ¼ to ½ inches into your abdomen. Through these incisions, your surgeon can remove fibroid material using the da Vinci® Surgical System.

Your gynecologist controls the robot using a surgeon console, guiding the robotic arms to make the incisions and extract the fibroids. The robot is performing the surgery but under the total control of your surgeon at all times.

Is robotic myomectomy right for me?

If you have uterine fibroids that are causing you pain and difficult menstruation, there are a number of treatments available. Once your work-up is complete and cancer has been ruled out, conservative treatment should typically be attempted first.

First-line therapy is prescribing a hormonal agent if no contraindications exist. Hormonal agents may contain either a combination of an estrogen and a progestin medication or may contain a progestin-only compound. Choices include:

• Birth control pills
• Vaginal rings
• Transdermal patches
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Injection progesterone

If these approaches aren’t successful, then estrogen-eliminating treatment is offered in the form of Lupron injections (GnRH-a, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist). Lupron treatments take several months and may produce severe side effects, especially menopause-like symptoms.

Usually, the therapeutic impact only lasts as long as these agents are given. If pelvic pain occurs along with abnormal bleeding, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are usually given as well.

If conservative hormonal treatments are contraindicated or unsuccessful, then usually a minimally invasive option is offered next. For small submucosal fibroids (ones inside the uterine cavity) and uterine polyps, an operative hysteroscopy is offered.

Uterine endometrial ablation is one of the most effective options for symptomatic small fibroids. The procedure is designed for patients who don’t desire future pregnancies and prefer not to have surgery.

Endometrial ablation is an excellent alternative to hysterectomy for appropriate candidates. There are no hormones or surgery involved. Endometrial ablation destroys the lining of the uterus by using either a freezing (cryoablation) or heat energy (thermal ablation) technique.

If none of these treatments proves effective, your surgeon can discuss the surgical options with you. These include:

• Hysteroscopic myomectomy
• Abdominal myomectomy
• Laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy

Most patients at Atlanta Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Center undergo laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy.

If you have symptoms of uterine fibroids, call Atlanta Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Center today or book an appointment online.