Saturday, 23 November 2024

How to deal with Lower Segment Uterine Fibroid

Management of a lower segment uterine fibroid or cervical fibroid depends on factors such as the patient’s age, symptoms, desire for fertility, and the size and location of the fibroid. Here’s an overview:



1. Symptomatic Management

Medical Management:

• Non-hormonal: NSAIDs for pain relief.

• Hormonal:

   - Combined oral contraceptives or progestins to 

                regulate menstrual bleeding.

   - GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprolide) to shrink 

              fibroids temporarily before surgery.

 • Tranexamic acid for heavy menstrual bleeding.


2. Surgical Management

Fertility-preserving options:

• Myomectomy:

Preferred for women desiring future pregnancies.

Can be performed via laparotomy, laparoscopy, or hysteroscopy or robotics depending on fibroid size and location.

For cervical fibroids or lower segment fibroids, open surgery may be required due to complex anatomy.

Non-fertility-preserving options:

• Hysterectomy:

       - Indicated for large, symptomatic fibroids in women 

         who have completed childbearing.

     -  Lower segment fibroids can increase complexity due to proximity to the bladder and ureters.


    Personal cases: both cases had abdominal hysterectomy 

3. Minimally Invasive Procedures

Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE):

Shrinks fibroids by cutting off their blood supply.

Effective for symptomatic relief but not  

           recommended for women planning pregnancies.


MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS)

- Non-invasive option for small, symptomatic fibroids.


HIFU- High Intensity Focused Ultrasound 

- Is a minimally invasive procedure that uses sound waves to uterine fibroids. 

MWA : Microwave Ablation.

- Is a minimally invasive procedure that uses microwave energy to treat uterine fibroids 


4. Special Considerations for Lower Segment and Cervical Fibroids


Challenges:

 Close proximity to vital structures like the bladder, urethra, and rectum.

 Increased risk of surgical complications (e.g., hemorrhage, injury to pelvic organs).

 Pre-surgical Planning:

 Imaging (MRI or contrast-enhanced ultrasound) to map the fibroid’s size, location, and vascularity.

 Preoperative GnRH analogs may reduce fibroid size and vascularity.


5. Pregnancy Considerations

 Cervical or lower segment fibroids may complicate pregnancy or delivery (e.g., obstructed labor, malpresentation, increased cesarean risk).

 Regular monitoring during pregnancy.

 Myomectomy during pregnancy is avoided unless there are severe complications (e.g., torsion, necrosis).


Follow-Up and Long-Term Management

 Regular follow-up with imaging to monitor fibroid growth.

 Address recurrence risks, especially after myomectomy.

 Consider lifestyle modifications to manage symptoms.



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