GYN Surgery

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It is the second most common type of major surgery performed on women of childbearing age (second to cesarean delivery). Hysterectomy may be done to treat conditions including:

There are several kinds including total hysterectomy, supracervical, and a hysterectomy with removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

A Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH) is a procedure that preserves sexual function by saving the cervix and its mucous-secreting glands and preserving the primary support for the top of the vagina. LSH causes less vaginal dryness, affords better pelvic support, leads to less pain and offers quicker recovery, and avoids the need for hormone replacement.

A Laparoscopically Assisted Vagina Hysterectomy (LAVH) is a procedure where the uterus is removed through the vagina involving the use of a laparoscope. The laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through a small cut. During the procedure, other small cuts are made in the abdomen to allow the organs to be viewed so the doctor can decide if the uterus can be removed through the vagina.

D&C may be done to assess the cause of abnormal bleeding. It provides a sample of the tissue in the uterus that can be viewed under a microscope to tell whether any cells are abnormal. It may also be done when a woman is having a miscarriage or after she has had one to remove any remaining tissue in the uterus.

Laparoscopy is a surgical technique that can be used for many conditions. The term laparoscopy comes from the Greek words that mean “look into the abdomen”. This style of surgery can be used to treat:

Endometrial ablation is most often performed on women who suffer from excessive or prolonged bleeding during their menstrual cycle and is most commonly performed when:

The endometrium heals by scarring, which usually reduces or prevents uterine bleeding. In this procedure, the endometrium is removed by using one of a variety of techniques, which may include laser beam, heat, radiofrequency, freezing, or microwave.

Colposcopy allows your physician to look at the cervix through a special device similar to a microscope. It can detect problems of the cervix that cannot be seen with the eye alone. A colposcopy is often performed after a woman receives an abnormal Pap test result.

Colposcopy is used to help diagnose changes in cells and cervical cancer. During the procedure, a speculum is placed in the vagina. The colposcope remains outside the vagina but is used to see the cervix. The cervix is painted with a mild vinegar solution that makes abnormal cells on the cervix easier to see. This solution can sometimes cause a slight burning.

LEEP is a procedure that removes abnormal cells from the cervix that have been identified during a Pap smear. LEEP allows abnormal cells to be removed and allows new healthy cells to grow. This procedure uses a thin wire loop that acts like a scalpel. An electric current is passed through the loop, which cuts away a thin layer of the surface cells. In most cases, LEEP is done in our office on an outpatient basis.

Hysteroscopy is a way to look inside the uterus. A hysteroscopy is a thin, telescope-like device that is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and cervix. This procedure may be used for diagnosis, treatment, or both, and can be used in conjunction with other procedures (for example, it may be performed before a D&C.)

Hysteroscopy may be used for other conditions including:

When hysteroscopy is used to diagnose certain conditions, it may be used to correct them as well. For instance, uterine adhesions or fibroids often can be removed through the hysteroscope.