Polypectomy

Polyps are small growths in the body. They can look like small mushrooms or flat bumps. Uterine polyps grow in the inner lining of the uterus in women. They are also called endometrial polyps.

You may have one polyp or several. Uterine polyps can range in size from just a few millimetres to more than 6 centimetres (2.4 inches) wide. More than 95 per cent of uterine polyps are benign, meaning they don’t cause cancer.

Uterine polyps may not cause any symptoms at all. Or you may experience:

If you need general anesthesia, you won’t be able to eat or drink anything for up to 12 hours before your surgery. Take all prescribed medications with a small sip of water only.

Try to empty your bowels before the procedure. This makes all types of abdominal exams and procedures more comfortable.

If you’re going under general anesthesia, you may have a consultation with the anaesthesiologist, either in the days before your surgery or on the same day.

You may have local numbing or be completely asleep.

Arrive at the hospital or clinic at your scheduled time. A nurse will also check your blood pressure. Let your doctor or nurses know if you’ve had anything to eat or drink.

If you’re having the procedure with general anesthesia, an anesthesiologist will give you an intravenous medication or a medication that you’ll inhale. This will make you fall asleep. If you’re having local anesthesia, you’ll be given one or more injections. This will numb the area after a few minutes. You may also be given a sedative to help you feel relaxed.

Your doctor might use a scope to help guide the treatment. Air or saline solution may be put into the uterus to expand it.

In a Polypectomy, polyps are removed with surgical scissors, forceps (special tweezers), a laser, or an electrical device. The surgeon will use a chemical called silver nitrate to help stop any bleeding.

Just like any other type of surgery, polyp removal has some risks. Some of the common risks that patients face while undergoing the procedure include:

Excessive Bleeding- Excessive bleeding can occur if the surgical site does not heal properly and leads to excessive loss of blood

Organ Perforation- The doctor might accidentally perforate the organ he/she is operating on, and if this occurs, the outcome could be fatal. However, organ perforation is a rare occurrence

Infection- A patient could develop an infection after removal of uterine polyps. Surgery creates a wound; therefore, if a patient fails to follow a doctor’s counsel, it could result in infection

Incomplete Removal of Uterine Polyps- Some times, a doctor might operate and unknowingly fail to remove some of the uterine polyps. In this case, you would have to undergo a second surgery.

You may have some discomfort and tenderness after the procedure. Your doctor will give you pain medication to soothe this period-like pain. A warm compress or a heating pad also helps.

You may have light bleeding immediately after a uterine polyp removal. You may also have discharge for up to 14 days after the treatment. The fluid may be light pink to brown in colour.

Your menstruation cycle will return as normal after a Polypectomy. A hysterectomy ends periods because it removes the entire uterus.

Don’t use tampons for at least two weeks after your procedure. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. You’ll also need to wait until you have fully healed to have sexual intercourse. This may take two weeks or longer after a Polypectomy. Recovery time for a hysterectomy takes four to six weeks or longer.

Recovery time also differs among people. Talk to your doctor about when it’s best for you to go back to work and other activities.

See your doctor for a follow-up appointment about a week after your procedure. This is for a check-up to make sure you’re healing well. Your doctor may also let you know the lab results for the polyp.

A successful surgery includes completely removing the polyp, an improvement in symptoms, and healing well.