If you have ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis, surgery is sometimes a necessity when more conservative approaches, such as medication, don’t work.
Sometimes, doctors must perform gynecological treatment via open or traditional surgery — meaning it’s done through a significant-sized incision in your abdomen. Although medical conditions sometimes make large incisional surgery necessary, it often requires a long recuperation time and can, on occasion lead to serious side effects, such as infection.
Fortunately, advances in minimally invasive surgery, which does not necessitate a large abdominal incision, have made it easier than ever before for doctors to treat gynecological conditions that previously called for open surgery.
Our in-office surgery suite and special equipment allow us to use minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat many women with fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis. Just contact us and make an appointment to see if you are a candidate for in office surgical treatment.
What is minimally invasive surgery?
With minimally invasive gynecological surgery, we access your reproductive organs, such as your uterus or ovaries, through your vagina or through tiny incisions in your abdomen.
Compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery may provide the following benefits:
- Faster recuperation time
- Less pain
- Less need for pain medication after surgery
- Less time away from work, school, your family, or other responsibilities
- Less blood loss
- Less time in the hospital
- Lower risk of infection
- Less likelihood of injury to surrounding tissue
Types of minimally invasive surgery
Depending on your diagnosis, we use different types of minimally invasive surgical techniques, including the following:
Laparoscopy
With laparoscopic surgery, we make one or more small incisions in your abdomen and insert a tiny camera and miniature surgical instruments into your body. Using these instruments, we can remove fibroids, ovarian cysts, or the scarring that occurs with endometriosis.
Robot-assisted laparoscopy
With some procedures, we use a robotic device during laparoscopic surgery that allows for more precise movements. Although the doctor is in control of the surgery at all times, robotic assistance gives the physician enhanced surgical abilities.
Hysteroscopy– allows the doctor to see inside your uterus
The doctor sometimes uses this minimally invasive technique for women who have endometrial adhesions.
It is also used to remove polyps or for directed biopsies of multiple areas of the uterine lining.
With hysteroscopy, the doctor inserts a lighted scope into your vagina and gently maneuvers it up to your uterus. Using specially designed surgical tools, the physician can then remove adhesion’s.
Endometrial ablation
We also use this minimally invasive technique, (the hysteroscope,) in order to remove the lining of your uterus. It can help reduce the heavy bleeding and pain associated with conditions, such as uterine fibroids, in women who no longer wish to have children.
Uterine artery embolization
In this treatment for uterine fibroids, our doctor uses a thin tube inserted through your vagina to inject uterine fibroids with a medication that blocks their blood flow and causes them to shrink.
Find out more about minimally invasive gynecological surgery
If you’re experiencing pain or other symptoms as a result of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or other causes, minimally invasive surgery might be the answer for you. Call our office for an appointment or use our online scheduling tool.