Mumbai: Doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central have successfully removed a massive uterine tumour measuring 28 × 30 cm and weighing 3.1 kg, comparable to the size of a seven-month pregnancy, from a 33-year-old unmarried woman, while preserving her uterus and future fertility in a rare and technically challenging surgery.
The patient, an African national, reported to the hospital with a gradually enlarging abdominal swelling that she initially attributed to weight gain. Despite having no pain, menstrual irregularities or other warning symptoms, the mass continued to grow silently until it reached the xiphisternum, prompting medical evaluation.
Detailed investigations revealed a giant uterine fibroid, a condition seldom encountered at this size. Managing such cases is particularly complex in young, unmarried women with high body mass index, where fertility preservation and cosmetic outcomes are critical considerations.
The surgery was led by Dr. Indrani Salunkhe, Consultant – Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central, who opted for an open myomectomy with a strong emphasis on uterine conservation.
“Fibroids of this magnitude are rare and surgically demanding. Our focus was not only on removing the tumour safely but also on preserving the uterus and ensuring the patient’s long-term reproductive and emotional well-being,” said Dr. Indrani Salunkhe.
Despite the size of the tumour, the surgical team chose a Pfannenstiel (bikini-line) incision, commonly used in caesarean sections, to minimise visible scarring. In an innovative adaptation, a vacuum-assisted technique typically used during childbirth was employed to safely deliver the 3.1-kg fibroid through the transverse incision—an approach rarely used for tumours of this size.
The patient required four units of blood transfusion, but the surgery and post-operative recovery were uneventful. The uterus was fully preserved, wound healing was satisfactory, and cosmetic outcomes met the patient’s expectations.
The successful outcome highlights Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central’s expertise in managing complex gynaecological surgeries, combining advanced surgical planning, innovation and patient-centric care to deliver outcomes that protect both health and quality of life.
For the patient, the procedure marked not just the removal of a tumour, but the restoration of confidence, fertility potential and a future once clouded by uncertainty.