Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is the preferred surgical approach for many conditions. Unlike open surgery, which usually requires a long incision, minimally invasive procedures are much less complicated and are performed through one or more dime-sized incisions. This results in much less trauma to the body. The number of incisions depends on the surgery, but the goal is to use fewer and smaller incisions.

For example, minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy offers a less invasive option to a traditional abdominal hysterectomy. During this procedure, a surgeon inserts an endoscope, a long thin tube with a lighted camera at its tip, through a small incision. The camera sends a two-dimensional image of the surgical site to a high-definition monitor, which the surgeon watches during the operation.

Benefits of minimally invasive surgery

By using minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques, Atrium Health offers our patients many benefits over traditional surgeries. They include:

Less pain: MIS procedures cause less post-operative pain and discomfort. Studies have shown that patients undergoing MIS procedures report less pain and require smaller doses of pain relievers than patients undergoing traditional surgeries.

Shorter hospital stay: Patients who undergo MIS procedures are usually able to go home sooner. And, in many cases, the patient is able to return to normal activities and work more quickly.

Less scarring: MIS procedures require smaller incisions, which means smaller, less noticeable scars. The scars that do form as a result of MIS typically have a less jagged edge, which gives them a more appealing look.

Less injury to tissue: Most traditional surgeries require a long incision, often through muscle. Muscle needs a significant time to heal after surgery. Because there are no long incisions in MIS, surgeons often do not have to cut through muscles to complete the procedure, leading to less tissue damage and quicker recovery.

Higher accuracy rate: Because MIS procedures use video-assisted equipment, the surgeon has better visualization and magnification of internal organs and structure. For patients, this translates into a more accurate and definitive procedure.

Is MIS right for you?

At Atrium Health, minimally invasive procedures are used whenever possible. Although some patients are not candidates for minimally invasive surgery, it is important that you seek a second opinion whenever discussing the surgical options that are available to you.

Treatments

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries are available for these conditions:

• Abnormal or heavy menstrual bleeding
• Cancer
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Hysterectomy
• Incontinence
• Infertility
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic pain
• Sterilization

Treatments

Fortunately, there are several options to treat fibroids. If a woman doesn't have any symptoms, they can be followed safely. If intervention is needed, with recent advances, there is almost no reason your treatment can't be minimally invasive - even if fertility is a concern. There are nonsurgical and surgical options. Ninety-five percent of patients qualify for a minimally invasive surgical approach.