Gynaecologcial Surgical Procedures

This procedure is used to examine the uterus.

A telescope with a light and camera at the end (hysteroscope) is passed into the womb through the vagina and cervix to send images to a monitor to see inside the womb. A local anaesthetic is sometimes used.

A hysteroscopy is used to investigate symptoms such as heavy periods, unusual bleeding, difficulty conceiving and repeated miscarriages.

Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose and treat conditions such as fibroids, polys and intrauterine adhesion (scar tissue that reduces fertility).

This is a relatively minor operation to remove fibroids and polyps from the uterus.

A hysteroscope is used to examine the uterus and instruments are passed through a hysteroscope to remove the fibroids or polyps by electrical cutting (resection)

A hysteroscopic endometrial ablation is a procedure that is used to remove the lining of the uterus (womb) as a way to improve symptoms of heavy, long periods.

It is not recommended for women who plan to have children, but it does not eliminate all risks of becoming pregnant.

To remove the womb lining, several methods can be used, including:

• electrocautery – an electrically heated ball that can be rolled across the lining 
• laser thermal ablation – a high energy beam of light
• microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) – a microwave probe is passed into the uterus and electromagnetic waves applied.

Laparoscopy is used to examine the abdominal organs. Small surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions – this is also known as keyhole surgery. It can help to diagnose a wide range of conditions that develop inside the abdomen and pelvis such as endometriosis.

It can also be used for removing diseased organs and for biopsy (tissue sample collection for further testing)

This is surgery to remove a cyst from the ovary. 

Whilst cysts can often cause little to no symptoms, they can cause pain and discomfort and sometimes make it harder to conceive, so removal of the cysts is the best treatment option. 

This is usually done laparoscopically.

During this procedure a small incision is made near your belly button to insert the laparoscope. During this time, any endometriosis scarring can be removed which can be done surgically (excision) or by destroying the cells using diathermy (ablation)    

A myomectomy removes fibroids from the wall of the womb. 

This can be done either though keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery or open surgery, depending on the size and position of the fibroids.

There is a chance that the fibroids can grow back after surgery and that further surgery may be required. 

This is a surgical procedure that removes the womb which is usually recommended to women with large fibroids or severe bleeding and those who do not wish to have any more children.

This can be carried out through the vagina or through several small incisions in the abdomen.

A hysterectomy can lead to early menopause and loss of libido. This is more likely if the ovaries have been removed too.

Vaginal prolapse surgery is typically performed under general anaesthetic and in some cases, it can be performed laparoscopically.

Incisions are made inside the vagina and the supporting tissues are strengthened with stitches. Repairs are made to both the back and front vaginal walls and extra supporting stitches may be required at the top of the vagina and into the cervix