Gynecologic procedures that once required open surgery, long incisions, and an extended hospital stay are now performed as outpatient procedures using minimally invasive surgery. The doctors at Dr. Javid OB/GYN are experts in minimally invasive surgery, providing a level of surgical care that protects your health and promotes quicker recovery. If you need surgical treatment for a gynecologic condition, call one of the offices in Los Gatos or San Jose or book an appointment online.
Minimally Invasive Surgery Q & A
What is Minimally Invasive Surgery?
When you undergo minimally invasive surgery, your procedure is performed using a few small incisions that are less than one-half inch long. The key instruments used in minimally invasive surgery are different types of endoscopes.
All endoscopes are long, narrow tubes that contain lighting and a high-definition camera. Each type of endoscope varies in size, and some are flexible whiles others are rigid.
The two primary types of minimally invasive surgery performed by the team at Dr. Javid OB/GYN are named after the type of endoscope that’s used:
- Laparoscopy, which uses a laparoscope that’s inserted through an incision in your abdomen
- Hysteroscopy, which uses a hysteroscope that’s inserted through the cervix and into the uterus
As the laparoscope or hysteroscope send magnified images to a viewing screen, your doctor at Dr. Javid OB/GYN can examine tissues inside your body, diagnose the cause of symptoms like pelvic pain, and perform surgery.
What are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery?
The team at Dr. Javid OB/GYN performs many minimally invasive surgeries in the office, so you can go home the same day. The smaller incisions cause minimal trauma to your body compared to the long incisions used for open surgery. As a result, you gain important health benefits such as:
- Less blood loss
- Less postoperative pain
- Quicker recovery
- Minimal scarring
- Lower risk of infection
If your surgery requires a hospital stay, you’ll spend less time as an inpatient compared to the hospital time required for open surgery.
What Conditions are Treated with Minimally Invasive Surgery?
The experienced doctors at Dr. Javid OB/GYN use minimally invasive surgery to treat many gynecologic problems. A few of the most common conditions treated are:
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine polyps
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- Pelvic adhesions
Gynecologic cancers may also be removed using minimally invasive surgery.
What Procedures are Performed with Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Most procedures that were once performed using open surgery can now be done using minimally invasive techniques, including:
- Hysterectomy: partial or total removal of the uterus
- Myomectomy: removal of uterine fibroids while preserving your uterus
- Ovarian and fallopian tube cystectomies: removal of cysts
- Salpingo-oophorectomy: removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes
- Endometrial ablation: removes tissues lining the uterus
If you have symptoms such as pelvic pain or heavy bleeding, or you’ve been told you need surgery and you’d like to explore your minimally invasive options, call Dr. Javid OB/GYN or schedule an appointment online.