LEARN MORE ABOUT FIBROIDS
Fibroid Specialists at CIGC
The fibroids specialists at CIGC have been treating fibroids for decades, performing more than 25,000 minimally invasive procedures that put patients first. Our specialists perform thousands of surgeries to treat fibroids each year, reducing complication rates and perfecting techniques.
CIGC surgeons are experts in diagnosing and treating fibroids through a range of nonsurgical and surgical methods. Each patient is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the best course of action with the end goal to always help you find relief.
For those in search of fibroid removal, CIGC’s innovative techniques allow for minimally invasive procedures that mean patients have fast recovery times and virtually invisible scarring. From pre-op to post-op, we provide personalized attention and compassionate care.
What Are Fibroids?
Fibroids, or uterine fibroids, are noncancerous growths that originate from the muscle of the uterus and can occur anywhere in or around the uterus. It’s estimated that as many as 80% of women will develop fibroids by age 50. For African American women, that number may rise to 90%.
Fibroids can cause a wide array of symptoms, including heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, gastrointestinal problems and infertility. It’s important to treat fibroids early because they can grow over time and cause more severe symptoms. Many physicians recommend a “watch and wait” approach, but we discourage this method due to the complications fibroids may be responsible for over time. Early detection and removal of fibroids can prevent long-term damage to the uterus and surrounding organs in the pelvis.
Fibroid Treatment Options
Fibroid symptoms may be managed with select nonsurgical remedies and exercises, but surgical fibroid removal is the best option for long-term relief.
The CIGC-exclusive LAAM® myomectomy is the procedure of choice for those who wish to retain future fertility options. The LAAM technique allows surgical specialists to completely remove fibroids of all sizes and locations in a minimally invasive procedure that leaves the uterus intact.
CIGC’s DualPortGYN® hysterectomy is the definitive cure for fibroids. This procedure is the best option for women who are finished with childbearing or no longer wish to become pregnant. For those with recurring fibroid growth, a hysterectomy can provide permanent relief.
Why CIGC?
A Gynecological Surgery Center of Distinction
CIGC is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Surgery by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL).
Advanced Techniques
Our DualPortGYN and LAAM techniques are minimally invasive fibroid removal procedures that allow patients to have outpatient surgery and return home the same day. These advanced techniques also provide shorter recovery times and better outcomes.
Compared to open, robotic and standard laparoscopic techniques for fibroid surgery, CIGC surgical specialists use fewer and smaller incisions to minimize scarring and speed up recovery, resulting in lower complication rates. We get our patients back to their daily lives in one to two weeks on average — free from fibroids and painful symptoms.
| DualPortGYN Procedure | Standard Laparoscopic | Robotic | Open | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length of Procedure | 30 min–1 Hour1 | 2–3 Hours2,3,4 | 2–3 Hours2,3,9 | 1–2 Hours3,9 |
| Number of Incisions | 2 (5 mm)1 | 4 (5 mm)5 | 3–7 (8–12 mm)1,10 | 1 Large (10–15 cm)12,13 |
| Hospital Stay | 0 Days1 | 0–1 Day1,6,7 | 1–2 Days7,11 | 3 Days3,7 |
| Recovery Time | About 1 Week1 | Up to 3 Weeks8 | Up to 6 Weeks1 | Up to 8 Weeks8,14 |
| LAAM Procedure | Standard Laparoscopic | Robotic | Open | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length of Procedure | 74-90min1 | 107-124min1 | 159-252min1 | 229-275min1 |
| Number of Incisions | 21 | 3–45,6 | 4–58,10 | 1 x 10–15 cm13,14 |
| Max Number of Fibroids Removed | 1031 | 181 | 131 | 651 |
| Hospital Stay | 0 Days1 | 1 Day14 | 1 Day4,11 | 2–3 Days4,11 |
| Recovery Time | 10–14 Days1 | Up to 3 Weeks7,17 | Up to 3 Weeks12 | Up to 8 Weeks10,15,16 |
| Conversion to Open Surgery | 0.7%1 | 22.9%1 | 8.2%1 | N/A |
Success Stories
Hear from fibroids patients who have had life-changing experiences at CIGC:
“My ultrasound revealed four fibroids. The MRI revealed eight. Dr. Danilyants removed 25!” – Aziza. Hear more from her story.
“Within a 3- to 4-minute conversation with Dr. Danilyants, I had a better understanding of how my body worked than I had after eight years’ worth of conversations with my regular OBGYN.” – Raynell. Read her story here.
“Sometimes you really do need to push to get your diagnosis. Don’t take ‘it’s normal’ for an answer. It’s very common, but it’s not normal.” – Rupal. Hear more from Rupal.
Our Doctors
Our GYN specialists have innovated advanced minimally invasive gynecological surgery techniques, like the ones used for fibroid removal, for women of all ages. They are world-renowned for their expertise and leadership in the diagnosis and treatment of complex GYN conditions. Women come from all around the world to be treated by CIGC specialists.
Our Centers
CIGC specialists perform surgeries at ambulatory surgery centers that are not attached to a hospital, meaning fibroid removal surgeries are done on an outpatient basis and patients can go home the same day. With convenient locations near major cities like Washington, D.C., and New York City, each center is fully set up with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed with friendly, compassionate employees who are here for anything you need during treatment.
We follow CDC guidelines to ensure the enhanced cleanliness and safety of each center. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering telemedicine consultations in addition to in-person appointments to discuss fibroid treatment options. To learn more about how we are keeping our patients safe, please visit our COVID-19 information page.
Related Blog Posts
References
1Danilyants N, MacKoul P, Baxi R, van der Does LQ, Haworth LR. Value-based assessment of hysterectomy approaches. JOGR. 2018.
2Pasic et al. Comparing Robot-Assisted with Conventional Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Impact on Cost and Clinical Outcomes. JMIG. 2010 17 (6): 730-738
3Landeen LB, Bell MC, Hubert HB, Bennis LY, Knutsen-Larson SS, Seshadri-Kreaden U. Clinical and cost comparisons for hysterectomy via abdominal, standard laparoscopic, vaginal and robot-assisted approaches. South Dakota Medicine 2011; 64(6): 197-199
4Drahonovsky J., Haakova L., Otcenasek M., Krofta L., Kucera E., and Feyereisl J.: A prospective randomized comparison of vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy, and total laparoscopic hysterectomy in women with benign uterine disease. EJOGRB 2010; 148: pp. 172-176
5Einarsson, J. I., & Suzuki, Y. (2009). Total laparoscopic hysterectomy: 10 steps toward a successful procedure. Reviews in obstetrics & gynecology, 2(1), 57-64.
6Paraiso MF, Ridgeway B, Park AJ, et al. A randomized trial comparing conventional and robotically assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy. AJOG. 2013;208(5):368.e361–367.
7Wright KN, Jonsdottir GM, Jorgensen S, Shah N, Einarsson JI. Costs and outcomes of abdominal, vaginal, laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomies. JSLS. 2012;16(4):519-24.
8Aarts JWM, Nieboer TE, Johnson N, Tavender E, Garry R, Mol BWJ, Kluivers KB. Surgical approach to hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD003677.
9Schmitt, J. J., Carranza Leon, D. A., Occhino, J. A., Weaver, A. L., Dowdy, S. C., Bakkum-Gamez, J. N., Pasupathy, K. S., Gebhart, J. B. (2017). Determining Optimal Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Indications: Clinical Decision Tree Algorithm. Obstetrics and gynecology, 129(1), 130-138.
10Mayo Clinic
11Paraiso MF, Ridgeway B, Park AJ, et al. A randomized trial comparing conventional and robotically assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy. AJOG. 2013;208(5):368.e361–367.
12Yeung P, Bolden C et al. Patient Preferences of Cosmesis for Abdominal Incisions in Gynecologic Surgery. JMIG. 2013; 20(1): 79-84
13Jones, H. W., III, & Rock, J. A. (2015). Te Linde’s operative gynecology (Eleventh edition). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
14Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, London, UK.
LAAM Chart:
2 Bedient CE, Magrina JF, Noble BN, et al. Comparison of robotic and laparoscopic myomectomy. AJOG, 2009;201:566.e1-5.
3 Sangha R, Eisenstein D, George A, Munkarah A, Wegienka G. Comparison of surgical outcomes for robotic assisted laparoscopic myomectomy compared to abdominal myomectomy. JMIG, 2010; 17(Suppl):S108.
4 Barakat et al. Robotic-Assisted, Laparoscopic, and Abdominal Myomectomy: A Comparison of Surgical Outcomes. 2011; 117(2): 256-266.
5 Rossetti, A., Sizzi, O., Chiarotti, F., & Florio, G. (2007). Developments in techniques for laparoscopic myomectomy. JSLS. 11(1), 34-40.
6 Seinera et al. Laparoscopic myomectomy: indications, surgical technique and complications. Human Reproduction vol.12 no.9 pp.1927–1930, 1997.
7 Alessandri, Franco et al. Randomized study of laparoscopic versus minilaparotomic myomectomy for uterine myomas. JMIG. 2006; 13(2):92-97.
8 Advincula AP, Xu X, Goudeau S, Ransom SB. Robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy versus abdominal myomectomy: a comparison of short-term surgical outcomes and immediate costs. JMIG. 2007;14:698–705.
9 Sangha R, Eisenstein D, George A, Munkarah A,Wegienka G. Comparison of surgical outcomes for robotic assisted laparoscopic myomectomy compared to abdominal myomectomy. JMIG. 2010;17(Suppl):S108.
10 Asmar J, Even M, Carbonnel M, Goetgheluck J, Revaux A and Ayoubi JM (2015) Myomectomy by robotically assisted laparoscopic surgery: results at Foch Hospital, Paris. Front. Surg. 2:40,
11 Gobern JM, Rosemeyer CJ, Barter JF, Steren AJ. Comparison of robotic, laparoscopic, and abdominal myomectomy in a community hospital. JSLS. 2013;17(1):116-20.
12 Mayo Clinic
13 Yeung P, Bolden C et al. Patient Preferences of Cosmesis for Abdominal Incisions in Gynecologic Surgery. JMIG. 2013; 20(1): 79-84,
14 Jones, H. W., III, & Rock, J. A. (2015). Te Linde’s operative gynecology (Eleventh edition). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
