What is it?
Minimally invasive surgery is performed using scopes rather than large incisions. A laparoscope or hysteroscope is used to perform the particular minimally invasive surgery.
DEFINITIONS:
- Laparoscope- The laparoscope is a narrow scope with multiple lenses used to look inside the abdomen. The scope has a video camera attachment so that the surgeon can view the abdominal and pelvic cavity without a large incision. The picture of the internal structures is projected onto a video monitor like a TV. Other instruments can be inserted through 2-3 accessory ports. The incisions are 1/4 to 1/2 inch or smaller. Because there are only a few small incisions rather than a single large incision, the patient is usually able to go home the day of the operation.
- Hysteroscope- The hysteroscope is a small scope that is inserted through the cervix and into the uterine cavity to remove fibroids, polyps, or perform infertility surgery. Because there are no abdominal incisions, the recovery after hysteroscopic surgery is faster than after laparoscopy, and much faster than an abdominal incision. In some cases, a woman may have to have a combined hysteroscopic and laparoscopic surgery.
How is it different from other surgeries?
Minimally invasive surgery reduces the healing time to days or weeks instead of weeks and months. Because of the tiny size of the incisions, or possibly no incisions, the woman is able to go home the same day, and will have a much faster recovery than if a large abdominal incision were made. Laproscopic surgery is less painful and has a faster recovery than traditional open abdominal surgery. However, there is always the risk of complications in any surgical procedure, whether it is open abdominal surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
- Less pain.
- Faster recovery time.
Most surgeries are performed on an outpatient or 23-hour observation basis.
What procedures can be performed?
It is possible to offer a patient a less invasive, less painful procedure in the vast majority of cases. Some of these procedures include, but are not limited to:
- Removal of fibroid tumors
- Hysterectomy
- Excision of endometriosis
- Treat Abnormal bleeding
- Ovarian cysts
- Infertility surgery
- Pelvic prolapse
- Incontinence
- pelvic pain
Do I need general anesthesia?
For hysteroscopic surgery, a general anesthetic is not necessary. The patient may choose this form of anesthesia, but it is possible to perform hysteroscopic surgery under an epidural or spinal block, or with IV sedation.
Laparoscopic surgery almost always requires general anesthesia. In selected cases of pelvic pain management, IV sedation is used so that the patient might participate in conscious pelvic pain mapping. This is performed with a micro-laparoscope (less than 1/8 inch incision). The patient is well sedated so that she is not in pain, but she is not unconscious so that she can help identify the trigger point of her pain. This allows for more precise identification and more successful treatment of pelvic pain problems.
Is it for me?
Since February, 1997 surgical cases have been entered into a prospective outcomes database for various gynecologic problems, including abnormal bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and other diagnoses. Minimally invasive surgery has been possible in 99 % of the cases. There are over 1,000 cases involving laparoscopic fibroid management. Even large fibroid tumors up to the umbilicus(belly button) can be removed with minimally invasive surgery if the conditions are correct. Minimally invasive surgery does not mean less risk. The incisions are small so there is less pain and a faster recovery but it is still the same surgery inside. Complications are possible in any surgery.
Most Common Questions
Please e-mail us with any questions that you may have regarding minimally invasive surgery. We will respond promptly with an answer to you concern.
Email to: Info@advancedgyn.com