Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on laparoscopic laser myomectomy.
Further recommendations have been made as part of the clinical guideline on heavy menstrual bleeding published in January 2007. Clinical and cost-effectiveness evidence was reviewed in the development of this guideline which has led to this more specific recommendation. The IP guidance on Laparoscopic laser myomectomy disease remains current, and should be read in conjunction with the clinical guideline.
Description
This procedure is used to treat uterine fibroids (leiomyomas).
Fibroids are benign tumours of the uterine muscle. They are very common. They may cause pain, heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and reduced fertility.
Hysterectomy is the standard treatment for women with fibroids whose symptoms have not resolved with medical treatment. Laparoscopic myomectomy is the destruction of fibroids via a laparoscope passed through a small incision in the abdomen and then through the wall of the uterus. The fibroids may be destroyed with a laser or electrocautery.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.