Christian Miracle Hospital Enugu, Nigeria Launches Bikini-Line Myomectomy Education Series

ENUGU, Nigeria — Christian Miracle Hospital on September 23 launched a patient-education series to help women understand the different abdominal incisions that may be used during open fibroid surgery.

By Christian Miracle Hospital Research Team
Medical review: Professor Obioma Okezie

The first topic focuses on the low transverse incision, commonly described as a “bikini-line” incision, which can be used during open myomectomy when a woman’s fibroid pattern and clinical circumstances allow it.

The initiative is intended to answer a practical question women frequently raise before fibroid surgery: “Where will the scar be?”

Christian Miracle Hospital says the answer cannot be the same for every patient.

Why the hospital is talking about scars

Concern about an operation often goes beyond removing the fibroids.

Women may also worry about:

the size of the abdominal cut;
where it will be located;
how visible the scar may become;
recovery;
whether the uterus will be preserved;
future pregnancy;
whether open surgery is the same as keyhole surgery.

The hospital’s education series will use simple language to explain these questions without promising a particular scar or surgical result before a woman has been assessed.

What is the “bikini-line” cut?

The medical term commonly used for this low horizontal abdominal incision is Pfannenstiel incision.

It runs from side to side across the lower abdomen, around the area usually covered by underwear.

Mayo Clinic says abdominal myomectomy most often uses a low side-to-side cut near the bikini line, although a vertical cut may be necessary where the uterus is very large.

European surgical guidance similarly says a low transverse incision is commonly used in open myomectomy, while stressing that surgical planning should depend on the individual patient’s case.

Christian Miracle Hospital already performs open myomectomy

Christian Miracle Hospital provides open myomectomy in Enugu.

Myomectomy removes fibroids while leaving the uterus in place.

When the woman’s fibroid pattern, uterine size and other clinical factors allow adequate and safe access through a low transverse abdominal incision, that approach may be used.

However, the hospital says women should not arrive expecting that every fibroid operation will automatically use the same cut.

Some cases may require another incision for safety and surgical access.

A bikini-line incision does not mean keyhole surgery

This is one misconception the hospital wants the education series to address.

A horizontal bikini-line incision can still be part of an open operation.

It should not be confused with laparoscopic or keyhole surgery.

Christian Miracle Hospital currently provides open fibroid surgery rather than laparoscopic myomectomy.

The low position of the abdominal scar therefore describes where the abdomen is opened, not whether the surgery is open or keyhole.

The scar is only one part of the operation

Another point Christian Miracle Hospital wants Enugu patients to understand is that the visible abdominal cut is not the same as the incision made into the uterus.

Once the surgeon reaches the uterus, the way individual fibroids are approached depends on where they are located.

Current surgical recommendations advise surgeons to plan uterine incisions according to the number and position of the fibroids and to minimise unnecessary incisions where possible.

That means two women having “fibroid surgery” may undergo quite different operations even when they arrive at the same hospital with the same diagnosis.

Questions Enugu women can bring to a fibroid consultation

Women considering myomectomy can ask:

How many fibroids do I have?
Where are they?
How large is my uterus?
Why is surgery being recommended?
Why is open myomectomy appropriate in my case?
Where is the expected abdominal incision?
Could the incision change during surgery if necessary?
What are the important risks?
What should I expect during recovery?
What could this operation mean for future pregnancy?

The hospital says a good consultation should help a woman understand the operation rather than simply give her a date for surgery.

Why fibroid mapping matters

Fibroid surgery is not planned from the word “fibroid” alone.

Imaging helps establish where the fibroids are, how many are present and the size of the uterus.

Current European guidance recommends pre-operative imaging such as ultrasound or MRI to map fibroids before abdominal myomectomy.

The final surgical plan also considers the woman’s symptoms, preferences, previous operations and reproductive goals.

What the education initiative will not promise

Christian Miracle Hospital says the new patient-information series will not describe a bikini-line incision as:

scarless surgery;
keyhole surgery;
guaranteed faster recovery;
guaranteed fertility preservation;
suitable for every fibroid;
evidence that surgery is always required.

Not every fibroid needs an operation.

Treatment should be based on the woman’s symptoms and individual medical findings.

When to seek assessment

Women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, persistent pelvic pressure or pain, increasing abdominal swelling, symptoms of anaemia or fertility concerns associated with fibroids can seek medical assessment.

Women with very heavy bleeding, fainting, severe acute pain or other worrying symptoms may require urgent assessment.

Christian Miracle Hospital’s message to patients

The hospital’s message at the start of the new education series is:

A scar matters, but safe access to the fibroids matters more.

Women considering open myomectomy should understand both.

Christian Miracle Hospital in Enugu advises patients to discuss the expected incision, the reason for the chosen approach, the risks of surgery and their individual treatment goals before proceeding.

Medical Disclaimer

This report provides general health education. It does not determine whether any individual patient needs surgery or whether a low transverse incision is appropriate. A qualified healthcare professional must assess each patient individually.

Sources

For appointments or questions, contact Christian Miracle Hospital on WhatsApp: 006 811 7438.