What is gynecological surgery?
Gynecological surgery involves procedures that evaluate and treat a wide range of health issues that affect women and their reproductive system.
Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago treats various conditions that can develop at different stages of your life, like:
The practice also provides elective procedures that include the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes as a birth control method to prevent future pregnancy.
What kinds of gynecological surgery is available?
Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago provides a number of minimally invasive and major surgical procedures to diagnose or treat conditions. Some of these are:
Endometrial ablation
This surgical procedure uses heat, cold, or high energy radiofrequency to destroy your uterine lining. It’s used to reduce, or in some cases, completely stop, your menstrual flow if you suffer from abnormal bleeding.
Dilation and curettage (D&C)
In a D&C procedure, your provider dilates your cervix to remove uterine lining that may contain abnormal tissues with a spoon-shaped device called a curette. D&C is used to diagnose and treat uterine conditions like abnormal bleeding, fibroid tumors, and cancer.
Laparoscopy
This is a diagnostic tool to detect problems with your uterus and to confirm the results of other diagnostic tests. During the procedure, your surgeon inserts a small tube with a fiber-optic camera and light on the end, which enables them to visualize the inner parts of your reproductive system. During laparoscopy, your provider can also treat issues like endometriosis or fibroids.
Colposcopy and biopsy
If your Pap smear results are troubling, your specialist uses a colposcopy procedure to closely examine your cervix, vagina, and vulva. During this procedure, your specialist can also take a biopsy of sample tissue for lab testing.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
If your Pap test, colposcopy, or biopsy results are abnormal, your specialist uses a small tool with an electrical wire loop to perform a loop electrosurgical excision procedure. This treatment removes abnormal cells that may indicate cervical cancer.
Hysteroscopy
If you suffer from abnormal bleeding, your specialist uses a hysteroscopy procedure to diagnose and treat your condition. During the procedure, they insert a thin, lighted tube with a camera into your vagina, to examine your cervix and the inside of your uterus.
Minimally invasive surgeries require shorter recovery time, and most patients can return to their everyday activities after two or three days. Patients who get more invasive surgical procedures may require up to six weeks of recovery time.
The practice does provide major surgeries if your condition doesn’t respond to more conservative treatments. Some of these include oophorectomy, salpingo oophorectomy, ovarian cystectomy, salpingectomy, and hysterectomy.
What are the different types of hysterectomy procedures?
Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago uses different types of surgical procedures for a hysterectomy. These include:
Total abdominal hysterectomy
In an abdominal hysterectomy, your doctor removes your uterus through an incision in your lower abdomen, which gives them the best view of your pelvic organs.
The procedure can be performed even if you have a large uterus but carries a higher risk of post-surgical infection, nerve damage, and blood clots.
Total vaginal hysterectomy
This type of hysterectomy allows your doctor to avoid making any incisions as the entire procedure happens through your vagina. A vaginal hysterectomy is less invasive than an abdominal hysterectomy and requires a shorter recovery time.
Total laparoscopic hysterectomy
In this minimally invasive procedure, your doctor removes your uterus in pieces through a small incision or your vagina. A laparoscopic hysterectomy is the least painful and has a smaller chance of post-surgical infection.
To understand more about gynecological surgery, call Women’s Healthcare Center of Chicago or use the online booking tool to schedule a consultation today.
