Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Procedures

Lahey offers robotic-assisted surgery for many gynecologic conditions. The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System allows for a magnified, 3D view of the surgical site. Robotic arms serve as extensions of the surgeon’s hands. The surgeon remains in control the entire time.

These arms increase the surgeon’s dexterity by filtering out tremors and allowing surgical tools to rotate 360-degrees. The end result is enhanced surgical precision and control that refines and improves the already impressive benefits of laparoscopic surgery.

The da Vinci system also allows doctors to better see the anatomy. This is critical for surgeons when working around delicate and hard-to-reach structures, such as the large pelvic blood vessels.

Robotic procedures at Lahey include:

• Robotic-assisted excision of endometriosis
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy for uterine cancer with lymph node sampling
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer with lymph node resection
• Robotic myomectomy (to remove uterine fibroids)

Hysteroscopy involves visualizing the inside of the uterus with a camera inserted through the cervix. It helps diagnose abnormalities within the lining of the uterus. Cuts in the abdomen aren’t needed.

Some of the conditions treated with hysteroscopic surgery include:

• Evaluation of abnormal bleeding
• Removal of certain types of fibroids
• Removal of polyps
• Evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding
• Retrieval of difficult to remove IUDs

Some of the hysteroscopic procedures that Lahey gynecologists perform include:

• Lysis of adhesions (removal of scar tissue)
• Myomectomy (removing fibroids)
• Polypectomy (removing polyps)
• Isthmocele repair
• Septum resection

Laparoscopy in gynecology involves looking at the reproductive organs with a miniature video camera inserted through a tiny incision in the belly button. When surgeons aren’t sure what is causing a woman’s pain, a diagnostic laparoscopy can help them view the pelvic organs to find the source of the pain.

Some of the conditions treated laparoscopically include:

• Fibroids
• Removal of benign ovarian cysts
• Treatment of endometriosis
• Sterilization (permanent birth control)

Some of the laparoscopic procedures that Lahey gynecologists perform include:

• Endometriosis surgery
• Hysterectomies (including robot-assisted, supracervical, total and vaginal)
• Myomectomy (removal of uterine fibroids)
• Ovarian surgery
• Prolapse surgery

Lahey surgeons use several of the surgical methods listed above to help women with fertility issues. Often, infertility is diagnosed after a couple has had one year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse. Or it’s diagnosed if the woman has been unable to carry a pregnancy that results in a live birth. The woman’s age and other factors often play a role.

There are many possible causes of infertility, and surgical treatments are offered for some of those causes. A single cause may not be linked to either the man or the woman. Often, the problem stems from a mix of factors in either or both partners. Finding the best treatment — and learning if you’re a candidate for surgery — requires a thorough evaluation, test results, medical histories and other factors.

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and Cold Knife Conization (CKC) are two procedures to remove abnormal cells from your cervix. They allow your doctor to remove abnormal tissue and examine it for signs of cancer. The doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina and either uses a delicate loop of wire with a specialized high frequency current or a scalpel. They remove tissue without major damage to the surrounding tissue

Transcervical Radio ablation is a new minimally invasive approach for the treatment of fibroids. An instrument with ultrasound is placed through the cervix to see fibroids. Fibroids can then be heated up, killing fibroid cells while leaving normal cells alone, helping to decrease heavy bleeding. Patients can go home the same day.