OB/GYN Surgical Services

A hysterectomy is an operation to remove a woman's uterus (womb). The uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. Sometimes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix are removed at the same time the uterus is removed. These organs are located in a woman's lower abdomen. The cervix is the lower end of the uterus. The ovaries are organs that produce eggs and hormones. The fallopian tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.

A tubal ligation is considered a permanent method of birth control. A mini-laparotomy (“mini-lap”) involves a smaller incision [usually less than 2 in.(5 cm) long] than a regular laparotomy. The incision may be made just at or above the pubic hairline. The fallopian tubes are pulled up into or out of the incision, tied off, and then put back into place.

This procedure is favored for women who have had prior abdominal or pelvic surgery or who have heart or respiratory diseases.

A diagnostic laparoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor uses a laparoscope to observe your ovaries and fallopian tubes for tissue growths. A laparoscope is a thin metal tube with a light and tiny camera. The ovaries are the organs that make and store eggs. The fallopian tubes bring eggs to the uterus. The area in the pelvis where the ovaries and fallopian tubes are located is called the adnexal area.

Endometrial ablation is a surgical technique used to eliminate the endometrial lining of the uterus. Its purpose is to end your menstrual flow. The success rate for complete cessation of the monthly period is 60%. The menstrual flow is significantly decreased for 30% of patients. This procedure fails in 5-10% of patients. It does not effect menstrual cramps. It will often eliminate the need for a hysterectomy.

TVT is a more recent procedure for urinary stress incontinence. This procedure is performed under local or regional anesthesia. Small incisions are made in the vagina and the permanent tape is introduced via the vagina to sit under the urethra. The trochars used to introduce the tape are removed through small incisions on the lower abdomen. The advantage of performing this procedure under local or regional anesthetic is the tape tension can be adjusted to control leakage while you cough. Early success rates three years after the procedure are in the order of 85-90 percent.