Fibroid Surgery in India: What to Expect?

Overview : Fibroid Surgery : 
Most female patients visit India for the fibroid surgery due to high quality treatment at low cost. Over thousands of women have gone through the fibroid surgery under the supervision of the best fertility surgeons having experience in this field. The cost for fibroid surgery is about 40-50% less than the western countries offering the same treatment. 

Causes:

• The fibroids are abnormal growth development in or on the female’s uterus. In some cases, these tumors are quite large and causes heavy periods and severe abdominal pain. In other cases, this medical conditions show no signs or symptoms. The abnormal growth in the female uterus is usually benign i.e. non-cancerous.
• The actual cause of fibroids is still unknown. Usually, this condition is more common among the obese women. Since the fibroids are dependent on progesterone and estrogen for its growth, therefore they are relevant only during the reproductive years.
• Although it is unclear why the fibroids develop, but certain risk factors for their formation include genetics, hormones and pregnancy.

Symptoms:

• When the fibroids are small, then they are entirely asymptomatic. Some of the significant symptoms of fibroids include abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal discomfort, heavy periods, backache, bloating, urinary retention and in certain cases, infertility.
• Some women have reported about pain during intercourse. During pregnancy, the fibroids may be cause of bleeding, miscarriage, interference with the position of the fetus or premature labor. The larger fibroids may block or distort the fallopian tubes.

Procedure:

• The fibroid surgery is performed to remove the very large abnormal growth or the multiple growths called myomectomy. In an abdominal myomectomy the surgeon will make a large incision in your abdomen so as to access the uterus and remove the fibroids. Another method for removing the fibroid is through hysterectomy in which your physician will remove your uterus. This procedure will be performed only if your condition worsens or if no other treatments work. However, you won't be able to bear children in the future.
• The fibroid surgery can also be performed laparoscopically in which few small cuts will be made by your surgeon so as to insert his surgical tools and a camera. The laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive procedure for removing fibroid. This method will cause you less pain, shorten your hospital stay and require fewer days for recovery.
• There’s another procedure that can be performed for treating fibroids, it is called as FUS (Forced Ultrasound Surgery). This is the latest and completely non-invasive surgery. During this procedure, you will lie down inside a special MRI machine. This will allow your doctor to visualize the inside of your uterus. The high-energy and high frequency sound waves will be directed at the fibroids for destroying them.
• Likewise, cryomyolysis will freeze the fibroids, while myolysis will shrink the fibroids using an electric current. The endometrical ablation includes insertion of a special instrument into the uterus for destroying the uterine lining with the help of electric current, heat, microwaves and hot water.

Recovery:

• The complete recovery from an open surgery will take about 4 to 6 weeks while for patients who have undergone the laparoscopic uterine fibroids will be recovered in about 2 to 4 weeks. Post surgery, you will be required to use sanitary pads for bleeding. Avoid using tampons. Your physician will direct you to move as soon as possible in order to prevent the blood clotting and will be given pain medication.
• The patients should get plenty of rest time and should avoid lifting heavy objects and sexual intercourse until your doctor’s instruction. You should talk about your doctor regarding the surgery and post surgery care before undergoing this treatment.

References:

® "Fibroids". NHS Choices. U.K. National Health Service.
® Sankaran S, Manyonda IT (2008). "Medical management of fibroids" (PDF). Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 22 (4): 655–76.
® Homer, Hayden; Saridogan, Ertan (June 2010). "Uterine artery embolization for fibroids is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage" (PDF). Fertility and Sterility (Systematic review) 94 (1): 324–330.
® Stewart EA, Rabinovici J, Tempany CM, Inbar Y, Regan L, Gostout B et al. (January 2006). "Clinical outcomes of focused ultrasound surgery for the treatment of uterine fibroids". Fertil. Steril. 85 (1): 22–9.