Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) broadens the clinician's therapeutic options for the treatment of fibroids. It is easily adaptable to different situations and creative use can provide individualized treatment. Advantages of minimally invasive surgery for treatment of fibroids are avoidance of inpatient hospitalization, rapid recovery, and reduction in some complications, such as adhesion formation following surgery. For some minimally invasive approaches, such as hysteroscopic and laparoscopic resection of fibroids, sufficient data and experience suggest that outcomes are equal to or surpass standard surgical approaches for treatment of uterine fibroids. In this chapter we review evidence regarding minimally invasive approaches, especially as it relates to treatment of uterine fibroids. In addition, we review important procedural considerations for the application of minimally invasive approaches relevant to the surgical treatment of women with uterine fibroids.