Robotic Myomectomy: Removal of 11 Fibroids

Initial Evaluation

A patient visited Dr. Kim for her annual exam. During the routine checkup, Dr. Kim felt what appeared to be large uterine fibroids. When asked how she had been feeling, the patient shared that she had been dealing with a growing sense of heavy pelvic pressure and the constant need to use the bathroom. These were symptoms she had lived with for a long time, but they were slowly becoming more disruptive to her daily life.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, Dr. Kim noted that the patient’s uterus was significantly enlarged, reaching up toward her belly button. To get a perfectly clear picture of what was going on, an MRI was ordered. The imaging confirmed one large, 16-centimeter fibroid (about the size of a small melon), along with several smaller fibroids scattered throughout the uterus.

Treatment

After working with the patient to carefully review all her options, ranging from medication to various surgical approaches. Because preserving her ability to have children in the future was a top priority, they decided together on a robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy. This is a highly precise, minimally invasive surgery designed to remove fibroids while leaving the uterus intact.

During the outpatient procedure, Dr. Kim removed a total of 11 fibroids weighing 1,027 grams combined. The smaller fibroids were carefully collected on a suture as each was removed from the uterus, allowing for safe contained extracorporeal morcellation.

Outcome

Following surgery, the patient reported feeling significantly improved. Her pelvic pressure resolved completely, she was able to hold a full bladder comfortably, and she noticed her clothes fitting more loosely around the abdomen. The uterus was fully repaired with excellent visualization of the surrounding pelvic anatomy.