Mainly performed on an outpatient basis, minimally invasive laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures are two procedures which are used to treat various reproductive disorders, including:
- Endometriosis
- Tubal reconstruction, repair and tubal-ligation reversal
- Repair and reconstruction of intrauterine abnormalities such as scar tissue and congenital malformations
- Pelvic adhesions
- Removal of endometrial tissue due to dysfunctional bleeding that is not responsive to medical therapy
- Uterine fibroid treatment
- Uterine polyps
- Ovarian cysts
- Ectopic pregnancy
Laparoscopy is a procedure used to examine the organs of the abdominal cavity. Laparoscopy utilizes a laparoscope, a thin flexible tube containing a video camera. The laparoscope is placed through a small incision in the abdomen and produces images that can be seen on a computer screen. The advantage of laparoscopy is that it allows a direct view of the abdominal and pelvic organs and structures without the need for major surgery. Gynecological surgery can be performed through small (5-12mm) incisions which allows for quicker recovery, less pain, less scarring, and less blood loss.
Hysteroscopy is the visual examination of the canal of the cervix and interior of the uterus using a thin, lighted, flexible tube called a hysteroscope. The device is inserted through the vagina. Hysteroscopy may be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Therapeutic maneuvers, such as taking a tissue sample (biopsy), removal of polyps or fibroid tumors, or preventing bleeding with cautery (destruction of tissue by electric current, freezing, heat, or chemicals) may be performed during a hysteroscopy procedure.
Minimally invasive gynecological surgery treatments include:
- laparoscopic excision of endometriosis
- laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancy
- laparoscopic excision of ovarian cysts
- laparoscopic lysis of pelvic adhesions
- laparoscopic reversal of tubal sterilization
- laparoscopic or laparotomic excision of fibroids (myomectomy)
- hysteroscopic excision of fibroids (myomectomy)
- hysteroscopic excision of polyps (polypectomy)
- hysteroscopic lysis of uterine adhesions
- hysteroscopic correction of uterine malformations
Watch the video of BWH surgeons perform Conventional Laparoscopic Myomectomy with Robotic Reconstruction: A Safe Hybrid Procedure for Large Myomata
