Advanced Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic Surgery

What is laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery?

Laparoscopy

A minimally invasive procedure, a gynecological laparoscopy allows your surgeon to see what’s going on inside your pelvis or abdomen. This is among the best ways to examine your ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes, and can be used for both diagnosis and treatment.

The laparoscopy process involves making a very small cut in your navel to insert the laparoscope. The laparoscope transmits the image to a screen, giving your doctor a clear look at your organs.

The next step depends on the type of procedure you’re having. If it’s just a diagnosis, your doctor may be finished after examining the area. During surgery, however, other small incisions will be made to accommodate instruments, and the laparoscope serves as a guide to perform the surgery.

Types of Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a technique that is used in a wide variety of surgeries including:

• Hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus.
• Removal of the ovaries or ovarian cysts.
• Removal of fibroids or blocking blood flow to fibroids.
• Endometrial tissue ablation, which is a treatment for endometriosis.
• Adhesion removal.
• Reversal of a tubal ligation.

Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows your doctor the opportunity to examine the inside of the uterus. It is performed to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding.

Hysteroscopy is performed using a hysteroscope, which is a thin, lighted tube inserted into the vagina. A hysteroscopy is the best way to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus. A hysteroscopy can be used as part of an operative procedure to remove polyps, fibroids, and adhesions.

What should I expect after the procedure?

Laparoscopy

In general, 3-4 days of recovery is the average time most patients need to feel back to normal following a laparoscopy. It’s not unusual for a small amount of abdominal pain to persist for a few days, so you may receive a prescription for pain medication or over-the-counter medications. Most people return to work after three or four days.

Hysteroscopy

Following a hysteroscopy, you may have vaginal bleeding or cramps for several days. If any air found its way into your uterus during the procedure, you may have gas pains. You may also have a feeling of fullness in your belly or shoulder pain. If your uterus was filled with liquid during the procedure, it’s normal for you to have watery vaginal discharge for a few days.

Many women can return to work on the day after the procedure. But in the end, it depends on what was done during the treatment and the type of work you do day-to-day.

If you require a laparoscopic or hysteroscopic procedure, we will guide you through the process, answer all of your questions, and prepare you for your recovery to better health. If you have any questions please contact our office via phone, email, or schedule an appointment online.