Gynecologic Surgery
Dr. Leveno is very experienced in gynecologic surgeries and is able to help you with any issues you may be having in this area. There are different procedure options so call our office and book a consultation with Dr. Leveno. Dr. Leveno takes great care and time to fully understand your needs and will determine the absolute best health plan for you.
- Laparoscopy
- Endometrial Ablation - an outpatient procedure to limit or eliminate menstrual flow
- Hysteroscopy
- Abdominal and Vaginal Hysterectomy-majority can be performed vaginally which shortens recovery time drastically
Types of surgeries: Explanation and Details
An alternative to open surgery, gynecologic laparoscopy allows a doctor to look inside the pelvic area via an incision in the pelvis or stomach. The instrument used is called a laparoscope, which is a slender, lighted tube that features a high-resolution camera on the tip.
Predominantly, it is a diagnostic procedure, allowing for the identification of certain conditions, including:
- endometriosis
- uterine fibroids
- ovarian cysts or tumors
- ectopic pregnancy
- pelvic abscesses
- pelvic adhesions
- infertility
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- reproductive cancers
In some cases, however, laparoscopy can be used as a form of treatment. Such microsurgeries utilize small instruments and / or robotic controls. Procedures that can be performed in such a manner include ovarian cyst removal, tubal ligation, fibroid removal, and hysterectomies.
The main benefits of laparoscopy include short healing time as compared to open surgery and much smaller incision scars. Dr. Leveno may recommend this type of surgery for patients suffering from the following symptoms:
- unexplained pelvic pain
- unexplained infertility
- a history of pelvic infection
Endometrial Ablation
Endometrial ablation is a procedure designed to destroy or “ablate” the lining of a patient’s uterus, also called the endometrium. This is performed with the goal of reducing menstrual flow or stopping it altogether. It is commonly prescribed in situations where women have:
- Unusually heavy periods
- Period-related anemia
- Bleeding that lasts more than eight days
Though technically an invasive procedure, endometrial ablation does not necessitate cutting or puncturing the skin. Instead, a doctor will insert thin tools into the passage between the patient’s uterus and vagina.
Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscopy allows a doctor to look inside a patient’s uterus using a thin, lighted tube and tipped by a camera. This is often done so that the doctor can diagnose and / or treat a variety of conditions, including:
Polyps / Fibroids – These are non-cancerous growth commonly found in the uterus. They are often easily removed via hysteroscopy.
Adhesions – These are collections of scar tissue that form in the uterus and can cause problems with menstrual flow and infertility. Hysteroscopies can both confirm and remove adhesions.
Septums – A septum is a malformation of the uterus resulting from a birth defect. A hysteroscopy can help confirm the presence of such a condition.
Abnormal Bleeding - When a woman suffers from heavy or lengthy menstrual flow, a doctor will often employ a hysteroscopy to identify the cause.
Vaginal Hysterectomy
A vaginal hysterectomy is the process of detaching the patient’s uterus from the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and connective tissue via the vagina.
Unlike an abdominal hysterectomy, which utilizes an incision in the pelvis, vaginal hysterectomy is a completely internal surgery, resulting in a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time.
It is possible that, due to the shape of the patient’s uterus, a vaginal hysterectomy might not be possible. In other cases, Dr. Leveno might recommend the removal of the cervix, fallopian tubes, or one or more ovaries as well.