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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids — noncancerous growths that often appear in your uterus during your childbearing years. The surgeon's goal during myomectomy is to take out symptom-causing fibroids and reconstruct the uterus. Unlike hysterectomy, which removes your entire uterus, myomectomy surgery removes only the fibroids and leaves your uterus intact.

Women who undergo myomectomy report improvement in fibroid symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pressure.

In the hands of an experienced surgeon, myomectomy is safe and effective.

Why it's done
References
  1. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Alternatives to hysterectomy in the management of leiomyomas. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008;112:387.
  2. Haney AF. Leiomyomata. In: Gibb RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:916.
  3. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Myomas and reproductive function. Fertility and Sterility. 2008;90(suppl):S125.
  4. Stovall TG, et al. Myomectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 18, 2011.
  5. Management of uterine fibroids: An update of the evidence. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/uterupdate/uterup.pdf. Accessed Jan. 31, 2011.
  6. Breech LL, et al. Leiomyomata uteri and myomectomy. In: Rock JA, et al. Te Linde's Operative Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:687.
  7. Khaund A, et al. Impact of fibroids on reproductive function. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2008;22:749.
  8. Seracchioli R, et al. Obstetric and delivery outcome of pregnancies achieved after laparoscopic myomectomy. Fertility and Sterility. 2006;86:159.
  9. Agdi M, et al. Endoscopic management of uterine fibroids. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2008;22:707.
  10. Spies JB, et al. Outcomes from leiomyoma therapies: Comparison with normal controls. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010;116:641.
  11. Stewart EA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 17, 2011.
MY00501 March 31, 2011

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