What constitutes minimally invasive surgery?
"Minimally invasive surgery" is a term used for several techniques that allow doctors to perform surgical procedures, causing the least amount of damage to your body. Traditional surgeries require large incisions, while minimally invasive surgery uses small holes through which the surgeon uses small equipment to perform numerous tasks, including:
- Closer examination of problem areas using magnifying and recording equipment
- Removal of organs, tumors, tissues, or cysts
- Taking tissue samples
- Organ and tissue repair
The Association for Women’s Healthcare offers two types of minimally invasive surgery:
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Hysteroscopy
What is an hysteroscopy?
An hysteroscopy is used to examine the lining of your uterus using a small tool called a hysteroscope. The small instrument, which contains a camera and a light, is inserted into your vagina, and threaded through your cervix up into your uterus, allowing your OB/GYN to get a better view of your endometrium, or lining of your uterus on a video screen.
Once the practitioner conducts a visual examination, separate instruments may be used to perform further measures, such as:
- Removing fibroids in your uterus
- Inserting or replacing contraceptive devices
- Unblocking your fallopian tubes
- Removing problem tissue in your uterus
An hysteroscopy is performed on an outpatient basis. Your Association for Women’s Healthcare OB/GYN will thoroughly review the procedure with you beforehand so that you’ll know what to expect.
What procedures are performed laparoscopically?
Laparoscopy refers to a procedure where a surgeon makes small incisions in your abdomen, through which a small tube with a light is used to examine your pelvic and abdominal organs more closely.
Laparoscopy is typically used to check for:
- Tumors, cysts, or fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Cancer
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Organ damage
A laparoscopy is more than just a visual examination. Your practitioner can also use this procedure to:
- Remove reproductive organs
- Remove tumors, fibroids, and cysts
- Take biopsies
- Perform a tubal ligation
- Repair a hernia
The team of OB/GYNs at The Association of Women’s Healthcare have had great success performing procedures laparoscopically, affording you less downtime and risk than traditional surgeries.
