Delhi: Doctors remove 18.5-kg fibroid from woman’s uterus

In a rare and complex procedure, doctors at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital removed an 18.5-kg fibroid mass — roughly the weight of five newborn babies — from a 56-year-old woman’s uterus, making it one of the largest fibroid removals reported worldwide in the past six years.

The woman had been silently suffering for nearly six years with multiple fibroids, one of which had expanded her abdomen to a massive size, causing immense discomfort in day-to-day activities, restricted mobility, and pressure on surrounding organs.

The surgery was led by Dr Dinesh Kansal, senior director and head of obstetrics & gynaecology, along with a multi-disciplinary team from urology, anaesthesia, and critical care. “This patient had a massive tumour in her uterus. It was more complex and larger than we anticipated from her pre-surgical scans. Meticulous planning was needed pre-operatively for the surgery,” Dr Kansal said.

“Cases like this highlight the importance of strong teamwork, as such cases often demand real-time decision-making and on-the-spot planning that cannot always be anticipated beforehand.”

Explaining further, he said, “The benign fibroid had grown so large that it was pressing against nearby organs, including the intestine, bladder, and ureter. Her internal anatomy was severely distorted, and key organs were closely adherent to the fibroid. The patient also had internal scarring from previous surgeries, which made the procedure more complex.”

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The operation lasted several hours, and the patient’s condition was closely monitored throughout. She was discharged on the fourth postoperative day and has since resumed a comfortable and active lifestyle.

Dr Supriya Mahipal, associate consultant, said, “This case demanded not only technical skill but constant intraoperative judgment. Navigating the challenges successfully, with minimal complications, is what made this surgery truly exceptional.”

Fibroids are a common condition in women, often developing gradually. Doctors say early medical advice can help avoid complications and make treatment simpler.