Gynecology

The Novasure ablation procedure is now being done in the comfort of our office. Novasure is a one-time, quick, safe, simple procedure that is effective in treating heavy periods. It does not use hormones, nor is it a hysterectomy. It is a minimally invasive technique that uses energy to remove the lining of the uterus. The average cycle time is only 90 seconds.

Novasure has a quick recovery time so you can get back to your life sooner. Most women experience no pain after the procedure, and can return to work and regular activities the next day.

For more information on this procedure go to www.novasure.com

The Essure procedure is a safe, effective alternative to traditional tubal ligation. Essure provides permanent, non-reversible sterilization without requiring incisions or punctures in the skin. This procedure is done in the comfort of our office using mild anesthetics for pain management. Because it does not require any incisions, patients are able to return to their usual lifestyle within 24 hours. You can find more information on this procedure at The Essure Procedure.

Hysteroscopy is an in-office procedure that is most commonly used to evaluate the source of abnormal uterine bleeding. This procedure is usually done using light sedation in the office. Once you are comfortable, a thin, lighted telescope-like device is placed through the cervix and into the uterus allowing for visualization of the inside of the uterus. Often this procedure is done in combination with dilation and curettage (D&C) in order to treat the bleeding as well. This procedure has a quick recovery time with most patients returning to routine activity the next day.

Implanon is a convenient form of birth control, containing only progesterone that lasts up to three years. It is approximately the size of a matchstick that is inserted under the skin of the arm in the office. It is safe, convenient and effective. If this sounds like an option of interest for you, visit with your physician and learn more at www.implanon-usa.com

The da Vinci robot is a surgical system that aids in performing advanced and complex laparoscopic surgery. The da Vinci has revolutionized urologic surgery and has now begun to make inroads into gynecology. The robot can be utilized for a variety of gynecologic procedures but it is most commonly used for difficult hysterectomies, myomectomies, and difficult laparoscopies. It has several characteristics that make it a good alternative to “open surgery” (surgeries requiring a large abdominal incision) for many patients. These qualities include:

• It provides significantly more range of motion than traditional laparoscopic surgery. The robot provides articulation similar to a human wrist. This is a significant advance improvement over traditional laparoscopic instruments that have no articulation at all. This allows the surgeon to easily perform maneuvers, such as suturing, that were previously difficult to perform laparoscopically.
• The robot provides the surgeon with depth perception. In traditional laparoscopic surgery the physician operates while watching their instruments on a TV. During robotic surgery the physician operates while viewing the surgery through a special view finder that provides a 3 dimensional view of the patient.
• The robot provides scales of movement. The first advantage of this is that it eliminates any hand tremor that a surgeon has. All humans have some degree of tremor ranging from barely perceptible to extremely shaky. How important that is in surgery depends on the delicacy of the procedure. The robot eliminates all tremor. The second advantage is that the robot gives the operator the opportunity to dramatically scale down their movements. This means that very large movements at the robot’s controls result in small operative movements. Again this aids in very fine dissections and delicate surgeries.

If you are considering a surgery, especially a surgery requiring a laparotomy (large abdominal incision), ask your provider if the da Vinci might be a good option for you.

For more information on the da Vinci procedures, click here.

A hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and cervix for treatment of conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, heavy periods, pelvic relaxation or cancer. The fallopian tubes and ovaries may be left in place during this procedure or removed at the same time. The surgery can be done either through an incision on your abdomen, through an incision in the vagina, or using a laparoscopy. A discussion between you and your doctor will help you decide if this procedure is a good option for you.

Laparoscopy is a fairly common, outpatient procedure that is used to treat a variety of problems. The surgery is done by making a small incision in the abdomen, allowing a thin, lighted tube to be placed into the abdomen. This tube is connected to a camera, which allows your doctor to see the pelvic organs. Instruments may then be placed into the abdomen through additional small incisions in order to treat various problems including endometriosis, ectopic pregnancies, ovarian cysts, and pelvic pain.

Pelvic organ prolapse is where one or more of the pelvic organs have dropped from their normal position. This can affect the bladder, uterus or rectum and causes symptoms such as a feeling of fullness in the pelvis, a lump protruding from the vagina, or difficulties with passing urine or having a bowel movement. Surgery is an option for correcting these problems. Your doctor can determine if pelvic organ prolapse is occurring and if surgery would be a good treatment option for you.

There are two types of tubal ligations available to patients, both of which are permanent.

The first type is a laparoscopic tubal ligation, which is done in the operating room through small incisions in the abdomen. The tubes are then burned or banded at the time of surgery. This type of tubal is effective immediately, although it does require a few days of recovery time.

The second type is the Essure tubal which is done in the office by placing a camera into the uterus through the cervix. The hysteroscope then allows permanent coils to be placed into the fallopian tubes. Over the course of three months these coils cause the fallopian tubes to scar closed. This procedure does require a special dye test in three months and is not effective immediately. The Essure does not require incisions and most women are back to regular activity the next day.