Hysteroscopy and Endometrial Ablation
MINIMALLY INVASIVE HYSTEROSCOPY
What is a minimally invasive hysteroscopy?
A minimally invasive hysteroscopy is a surgical procedure to remove abnormal growths – fibroids or polyps – in the endometrial cavity. A small telescope, called a hysteroscope, and a specialized surgical instrument are inserted through the cervix.
What are the advantages of a minimally invasive hysteroscopy?
With a minimally invasive hysteroscopy, no incisions are made. As a result, there is less blood loss, less scarring, and less post-operative pain. The recovery time is significantly shorter than after traditional surgery. We also now offer endometrial ablations in the office. An ablation is when the uterine lining is treated with heat in order to stop abnormal bleeding.
Who should have a minimally invasive hysteroscopy?
Women with abnormally heavy periods or bleeding between periods often have abnormal growths – fibroids or polyps – in the endometrial cavity, which is the space inside the uterus from which periods come and where babies grow.
Is there a hospital stay after surgery?
Most minimally invasive hysteroscopies are performed on an outpatient basis. The patient will arrive about 2 hours prior to surgery and often leave 1-2 hours after the surgery is finished.
What kind of a recovery can be expected?
This procedure causes minimal post-op discomfort and does not impair future fertility.
ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION
What is minimally invasive endometrial ablation?
Minimally invasive endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure to destroy a woman’s endometrium in order to eliminate or minimize excessively heavy periods. Thin surgical instruments are inserted through the cervix and into the uterus. After this procedure, half of the patients have no monthly bleeding at all and the other half bleed only minimally. This procedure does not remove the uterus, nor are the ovaries affected. Therefore, patients do NOT need to take hormones after endometrial ablation.
What are the advantages of minimally invasive endometrial ablation?
With minimally invasive endometrial ablation, no incisions are made. As a result, there is less blood loss, less scarring, and less post-operative pain. The recovery time is significantly shorter than after traditional surgery.
Who should have minimally invasive endometrial ablation?
Women who have completed their child-bearing and suffer from excessively heavy periods should consider this procedure.