Surgery
Abdominal Hysterectomy

Traditional surgery. Uterus is removed through an incision in the abdomen.
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
- Fibroids will not recur because the uterus is removed.
Cons:
- Hospital stay up to 5 days.
- Recovery from surgery takes 4-8 weeks.
- Requires general anesthesia.
- Can no longer bear children.
Vaginal Hysterectomy

Uterus is surgically removed through the vagina.
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
- Fibroids will not recur because the uterus is removed. No abdominal scar.
Cons:
- Hospital stay up to 3 days.
- Recovery from surgery takes 3-4 weeks.
- Requires general anesthesia.
- Not an option for an enlarged fibroid uterus.
- Can no longer bear children.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Uterus is removed using a laparoscope, which is a tube with a lighted camera, and surgical tools inserted through several small cuts made in the belly.
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
- Fibroids will not recur because the uterus is removed.
Cons:
- Hospital stay for up to 3 days.
- Recovery from surgery takes 2-4 weeks.
- Requires general anesthesia.
- Not an option for an enlarged fibroid uterus.
- Several small abdominal scars.
- Can no longer bear children.
Robotic Hysterectomy

Similar to laparoscopic hysterectomy, except the surgeon controls the instruments using a robotic system.
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
- Fibroids will not recur because the uterus is removed.
Cons:
- Hospital stay for up to 3 days.
- Recovery from surgery takes 2-4 weeks.
- Requires general anesthesia.
- Not an option for an enlarged fibroid uterus.
- Several small abdominal scars.
- Can no longer bear children.
Laparoscopic Myomectomy

Individual fibroids are removed using a laparoscope, which is a tube with a lighted camera, and surgical tools inserted through several small cuts made in the belly.
Pros
Cons
Pros
- Childbearing is preserved.
Cons
- Hospital stay for up to 2 days.
- Recovery from surgery takes 2-3 weeks.
- Requires general anesthesia.
- Not an option for large fibroids.
- Several small abdominal scars.
- Fibroids can recur because the entire uterus is not removed.
Hysteroscopic Myomectomy

Individual fibroids are removed using a hysteroscope, which is a tube with a lighted camera, placed through the vagina and cervix.
Pros
Cons
Pros
- Childbearing is preserved.
- No abdominal scars.
Cons
- Hospital stay for up to 2 days.
- Recovery from surgery takes 1-2 weeks.
- Requires general anesthesia.
- Not an option for large fibroids.
- Fibroids can recur because the entire uterus is not removed.
Radiofrequency Ablation (Acessa)
Individual fibroids are ablated using heat from a probe (large needle) during laparoscopic surgery.
Pros
Cons
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