Gynecological Laparoscopy & Hyteroscopy

“Faster recovery, less blood loss, cosmetically appealing, minimal postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, early return to work”

Gynecological endoscopy as we know now a days, possible thanks to important technical advancement and miniaturization of equipment used. It unites gynecology with minimal invasive surgery which allows for surgery without need of major incision. As the name suggests a very small incision is made and recovery is prompt. In gynecology it is used as laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, both diagnostic as well as operative.

Gynecology is the science specialized in women’s health, with a focus on female reproductive system from early teen as soon as 13 years age.

A visit to the gynecologist is recommended for annual screening and any time a woman has concerns about symptoms such as pelvic, vulvar, and vaginal pain or abnormal bleeding from the uterus.

Conditions commonly treated by gynecologists include:

• issues relating to pregnancy, fertility, menstruation, and menopause
• family planning, including, contraception, sterilization, and pregnancy termination
• problems with tissues that support the pelvic organs, including ligaments and muscles
• STIs
• polycystic ovary syndrome
• urinary and fecal incontinence 
• benign conditions of the reproductive tract, for example, ovarian cysts, fibroids, breast disorders, vulvar and vaginal ulcers, and other non-cancerous changes
• premalignant conditions, such as endometrial hyperplasia, and cervical dysplasia
• cancers of the reproductive tract and the breasts, and pregnancy-related tumors
• congenital abnormalities of the female reproductive tract
• emergency care relating to gynecology like ectopic pregnancy, heavy vaginal bleeding
• endometriosis, a chronic condition that affects the reproductive system
• pelvic inflammatory diseases, including abscesses
• sexuality, including health issues relating to same-sex and bisexual relationships
• sexual dysfunction

Common procedure

Diagnostic tasks include:

• pap smear tests
• ultrasoundscanning
• colposcopy, a microscopic examination of the cervix
• endometrial biopsy, or taking a sample from the lining of the uterus
• hysteroscopy, the use of an endoscope to see into the uterus

Surgical tasks include:

• preparing patients for surgery
• laparoscopy, a keyhole abdominal procedure. for both diagnostic and surgical purposes
• minor surgery, for example, sterilization
• major surgery, for example, removing fibroids in the uterus
• postoperative care, including treating complications

Laparoscopy 

It is minimally invasive surgical technique which allows access of abdominal cavity through a small incision without need of a major operation.

The procedure is carried out under anaesthetic sedation, the recovery is fast and the patient can leave the hospital in 4 to 6 hours. It allows the visualization of interior genital organs such as the uterus, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes so that diagnosis can be made and treatment can be done in same sitting.

Conditions where laparoscopy helps in diagnosis:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Infertility
• Endomeriosis
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Uterine anomalies

Laparoscopy for treatment/ surgery in gynecological pathologies:

Today laparoscopic surgery can be performed in almost all the gynecological conditions wherein routine open surgery is performed; for example:

• Removal of fibroids from the womb (myomectomy)
• Removal of womb ( total laparoscopic hysterectomy)
• Ovarian cyst removal
• Treatment of endometriosis
• Removal of adhesions
• Tubal ligation (sterilization)
• Fertility inhancing surgeries i.e. tubal microsurgeries.

“Surgeries are carried through a small nick in navel area.”

Hysteroscopy 

Hysteroscopy is an incision free procedure which helps visualize interior of the uterine cavity or womb. In order to do this, a hysteroscope-a modern optical instrument, similar to a miniscule telescope of only 4mm in diameter– is inserted via the neck of the uterus.

It helps both in diagnosis and treating the womb related pathologies such as polyp, fibroids, malformations or septum without any cut as the procedure is carried out through a natural orifice.

• Now a days, hysteroscopy is widely used as tool to diagnose cause of abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility.