Minimal access surgery is a newer treatment modality in which surgeries for gynaecological problems are performed by almost invisible, micro cuts on the abdomen. This is of two types, laparoscopic surgery and hysteroscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery is performed using 2 or 3 small cuts on the abdomen, followed by inserting microsurgical instruments to perform surgery. Even major operations like removal of uterus, removal of fibroids, removal of ovarian cysts and many other surgeries can be easily performed by this route. This has almost completely replaced the older “Conventional” surgery, which used a large cut on the abdomen to see and operate on the internal organs.
There are a number of obvious advantages of laparoscopic over older conventional surgery:
Hysteroscopic Surgery is performed using a telescope to look within the uterus, through the vagina. The inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium is checked. This is precisely the area from where menstrual bleeding takes place. This is also the area where the pregnancy takes roots and grows. Hence, plenty of defects can be identified in patients of abnormal menstrual bleeding, infertility and abortions, which can be completely missed even by sonography or CT scan/ MRI. These defects include fibroids, polyps, uterine synechiae and abnormalities of uterine shape. This is a zero scar procedure, and patients are sent home within 4 to 6 hours of surgery.
Hysteroscopy is the gold standard test for patients suffering from Irregular/ heavy/ scanty menstrual bleeding, Infertility, repeated abortions & bleeding in older age and after menopause.
Dr Sanket Pisat MS, DNB , FICOG
Consultant Gynaec Minimal Access Surgeon (Laparoscopy / Hysteroscopy)