When is surgery suitable for uterine fibroids? What are the classifications of uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the female genitals, most of which are asymptomatic, and a few of which present with vaginal bleeding or abdominal masses and compression symptoms. So how suitable are uterine fibroids for surgery? Generally speaking, if the uterus grows to more than 10 weeks of pregnancy, or if a single uterine fibroid is larger than 6 cm in diameter, surgery is required.

Uterine fibroids:

Classification of uterine fibroids Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, are the most common benign tumors of the female genitalia. Most are asymptomatic, while a few present with vaginal bleeding, abdominal contact with the tumor, and compression symptoms. Multiple uterine fibroids are common in cases of pedicle torsion or other conditions that cause pain.

Clinical manifestations of uterine fibroids:

1. Pain

Generally, patients do not have abdominal pain, but often have lower abdominal swelling, back pain, etc. When the pedicle of the subserosal fibroid is twisted, acute abdominal pain, redness of the fibroid, severe abdominal pain, and fever may occur.

2. Compression symptoms

When the fibroids grow forward or backward, they can compress the bladder, urethra or rectum, leading to frequent urination, dysuria, urinary retention or constipation. When the fibroids grow on both sides, they will form broad ligament fibroids, compressing the ureter or hydronephrosis; if they compress the pelvic blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, they will cause edema of the lower limbs.

3. Menstrual changes:

The most common symptoms are shortened menstrual cycle, increased menstrual volume, prolonged menstruation, irregular vaginal bleeding, etc.

4. Abdominal mass:

Swelling of the abdomen and lower abdomen, accompanied by a feeling of falling.

5. Increased leucorrhea

The amount of vaginal discharge increases, and sometimes there is a large amount of pus, blood, and slough-like tissue discharge with a foul odor.

6. Infertility

Fibroids compress the fallopian tubes, causing them to twist, or deform the uterine cavity, thus preventing the fertilized egg from implanting and leading to infertility.

Secondary anemia

If the patient has excessive menstruation for a long time, it may lead to secondary symptoms such as anemia, general fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, and palpitations.

Uterine fibroids are suitable for several situations:

1. Uterine fibroids cause heavy bleeding, or long-term menorrhagia, and prolonged menstruation leads to anemia, which cannot be cured by drugs. At this time, surgical resection is an effective solution.

2. Uterine fibroids grow to the size of a fist and compress other pelvic organs. Surgical removal can relieve symptoms, and large fibroids are more likely to worsen than small fibroids.

3. The fibroids grow too fast, or after menopause, the fibroids not only do not shrink, but become larger.

4. If the female infertility test is normal, the cause of infertility may be uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids can cause habitual miscarriage.

5. Generally speaking, if the uterus grows to more than 10 weeks of pregnancy, or a single uterine fibroid is larger than 6cm in diameter, surgery is required. However, submucosal fibroids can bleed, increase menstrual volume, and cause anemia, so surgery is also recommended.