Minimally invasive surgery refers to a number of surgical procedures that are done using small or no incisions. These procedures are done instead of traditional open surgery, which requires larger incisions.
There are several minimally invasive surgical procedures that can diagnose and treat gynecological conditions, including conditions that may contribute to infertility. Minimally invasive procedures are often preferred over open procedures because they benefit patients in a variety of ways.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Minimally invasive surgery has many benefits when compared to traditional open surgery, including:
- Less pain and less medication
- Less blood loss
- Less scarring
- Shorter recovery time
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery so you can return to your normal activities
Types of Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Laparoscopy: Surgery performed using one or more small incisions. These procedures use a laparoscope, which is an instrument made up of a long, thin tube with a light and a camera at the end. The scope is used to allow the surgeon to see inside the body in real-time.
- Da Vinci Robotic Surgery: Robotic surgery is a revolutionary new type of procedure that uses state-of-the-art robotics to allow the surgeon to do very complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions. Robotic surgeries are done with the most precision, control, and dexterity possible. West Virginia Fertility Institute uses the da Vinci Surgical System to perform robotic surgery.
- Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscopy is a procedure performed using an instrument called a hysteroscope, which is a thin, long tube with a light and a camera at the end. The hysteroscope is inserted through the vagina into the uterus. Hysteroscopies are used to diagnose and treat uterine conditions such as myomas, polyps, uterine septa and uterine adhesions.
Conditions Treated with Minimally Invasive Procedures
Minimally invasive surgery can be used to diagnose a variety of gynecological conditions, including some conditions that affect fertility. These conditions include:
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Excessive menstrual bleeding
- Cervical insufficiency/incompetence
- Intrauterine adhesions or Asherman syndrome
- Proximal tube blockage
- Septate uterus causing recurrent miscarriage
- Bicornuate uterus causing adverse obstetric outcomes
- Congenital absence of vagina/MRKH syndrome
- Absence of cervix/cervical agenesis
–
The expert physicians at West Virginia Fertility Institute specialize in a variety of treatments for infertility, including minimally invasive surgery. We combine personalized care with cutting edge technology to help our patients build their families. Call our office at (304) 345-9292 to schedule a consult.