Gynecologists were among the first to use laparoscopic surgical techniques many years
ago. Today, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery has advanced to the point where
many gynecologic disorders can be treated laparoscopically.
Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center surgeons can currently provide minimally invasive
gynecologic surgery in the areas discussed below.
Dilation and Curettage
Dilation and curettage, commonly known as uterine scraping,or D&C, is a fairly-minor surgical procedure where the cervix
is dilated and the lining of the uterus is scraped. The procedure may be performed
in the hospital or in a clinic using general or local anesthesia. The vaginal canal is held open by a speculum and the opening to the
uterus may be anesthetized. The inner layer of the uterus is scraped away and the
tissue is collected for examination.
Endometrial Ablation Treatment
This minimally-invasive
procedure is a quick, safe, simple, one-time procedure to control heavy bleeding by using energy to remove the lining of the uterus.
The average treatment time is about 90 seconds and only needs to be performed once
to lighten or stop your periods. No pre-treatment drugs are required.
Without the side effects of hormones or the risks of hysterectomy, edometrial ablation
has a quick recovery time so you can get back to your life sooner. Most women experience
no pain after the procedure and can return to work and regular activities the next
day
Endometriosis
Surgical treatment of endometriosis is an option for women whose symptoms
recur after initial treatment with hormones.
Endometriosis is one of the most common, non-cancerous gynecologic conditions. The
endometrium is the tissue that lines the uterus. When this tissue grows somewhere
else in the body it is called endometriosis. These abnormal growths may cause mild
to severe pelvic pain, especially during menstruation. Endometriosis may also be
associated with infertility.
Treatment for endometriosis can be either medical or surgical. Various oral and
injectable hormones are available to help slow the growth of endometriosis. Although
significant improvement results from initial treatment in some patients, others
have recurring symptoms and persistent disease. Recent studies demonstrate that
endometriosis can be managed equally well with laparoscopic removal.
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy, or surgical removal of the uterus, is one of the most commonly-performed
surgical procedures in the United States.
Abdominal hysterectomy typically requires a four- to six-day hospital stay, followed
by four to six weeks recuperating at home. Laparoscopy makes it possible to perform
this procedure in a minimally invasive manner. Patients usually go home one or two
days after surgery and are able to resume normal activities within a week or two.
Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called
a laparoscope, which is inserted through a small incision at the belly button. The
laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera which projects a view of the operative
site through video monitors in the Operating Room. The abdomen is inflated with carbon
dioxide gas to allow the surgeon a better view of the operative area. Three or
four additional small incisions are made near the laparoscope where the
surgeon inserts specialized surgical instruments. The surgeon uses these instruments
to detach the uterus and seal its supporting blood vessels. The uterus is removed
through the vagina. Following the procedure, the small incisions are closed with
sutures and covered. After a few months, the incisions are barely
visible.
Hysteroscopy for Abnormal Menstrual Bleeding
A hysteroscopy is a procedure used to treat abnormal menstrual bleeding. If menstrual
bleeding lasts longer or is heavier than usual, it is considered abnormal. There are many reasons for abnormal menstrual bleeding, including benign growths
within or around the uterus, menopause, hormone imbalance, weight loss or gain,
heavy exercise, stress, illness, or the use of drugs.
The hysteroscopy procedure utilizes a hysteroscope, which is a thin, telescope-like
instrument that is inserted into the vagina. It is passed through the cervix and
into the uterus, enabling the physician to look inside the uterus. Hysteroscopy
may help the doctor find the cause of abnormal bleeding. Although hysteroscopy is used to diagnose certain conditions, it may be used to
correct them as well. If an abnormal condition is detected during a diagnostic hysteroscopy,
an operative hysteroscopy can be performed at the same time and the need for a second
procedure is avoided. Hysteroscopy is usually performed in the Operating Room under
general anesthesia and it may be used instead of "open" abdominal surgery.
Uterine Fibroids
Laparoscopic surgery can be used to remove uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths in the uterus that occur in about 25 percent of all women.
Although fibroids are not cancerous, they can cause problems due to their size,
number, or location. Laparoscopic surgical removal of fibroids is performed through
several small incisions instead of one larger abdominal incision.
Urinary Incontinence Treatment with a Bladder Sling
Bladder slings can be effectively used to treat stress-related female urinary incontinence
but typically aren’t effective when it comes to treating urge-related female incontinence.
So, if you’ve been diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence and weakening of your
urethral muscles, you may be an excellent candidate for a bladder sling procedure.
The operation can produce enough urethral compression for you to regain control
of your bladder. The sling can be placed during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.