Fibroids located in the uterine cavity may be hysteroscopically removed through the vagina. Larger fibroids outside of the uterine cavity may require abdominal surgery.
The figure at right shows ultrasound scans of the uterus. At the top is a normal scan without fibroids. below it is a scan showing fibroids.
Abdominal procedures may be accomplished by standard or computer (robot-assisted) laparoscopy where smaller incisions are made, but the computer-assisted surgery is only possible in very select cases. Laparotomy involves an open surgical procedure requiring a regular abdominal incision and is performed using general anesthesia. It is primarily performed to remove large fibroids from the uterus which are making the cavity abnormal.
Injectable medications may be used to "shrink" the fibroids prior to surgery, although there are no medications that can permanently treat fibroids.
Fibroid embolization is a radiology procedure in which particles are injected to "cut-off" the blood supply to each fibroid. This procedure is currently not recommended for patients who wish to conceive in the future.
