With our aging population, the need for gynecologic surgeries to treat abnormal bleeding, incontinence and other conditions is growing. All of the gynecologists on Methodist’s medical staff are board certified in their field and several have received advanced training in robotically assisted surgery for certain procedures.
Services
• Abnormal bleeding
• Robotic and laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomies
• Urinary incontinence
Abnormal bleeding
Endometrial ablation is a procedure to treat heavy and prolonged vaginal bleeding. It’s typically performed when the bleeding has not responded to other treatments, the woman does not plan to have additional children or does not want to undergo a hysterectomy, or other medical problems prevent a hysterectomy. A gynecologist uses a lighted viewing device and other instruments to treat the cause of the bleeding by destroying the uterine lining. The recovery period is a few days to two weeks.
Robotic and laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomies
Methodist offers roboticly assisted surgery for a variety of surgical applications including GYN proceedures. Robotics technology gives surgeons greater precision and control than ever before possible. The surgeon’s hand and finger movements are performed on a computer console that is directly linked to robotic instrument “fingers” positioned inside the patient through tiny incisions. The small incisions mean less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery for patients.
Laparoscopic surgery has become the procedure of choice for many patients and surgeons in our area because if offers less scarring, less pain, and a more rapid recovery.
A laparoscope is a narrow, tube-like instrument with a camera and light on the tip. The camera is connected to a television screen, giving surgeons a magnified view of the treatment area. The laparoscope is designed to allow physicians to see tissue and organs inside the abdominal cavity without fully opening it with a surgical incision. For most laparoscopic surgeries, the scope is inserted either through the abdominal wall or belly button.
Urinary incontinence
Studies show that half of all women will experience stress urinary incontinence, and about 10 percent of those will suffer from frequent incontinence. When your ability to control urine interferes with your life, it’s time to see your gynecologist to discuss treatment options.
The sling procedure is the most common surgery performed to treat stress incontinence. The doctor uses strips of the patient’s tissue or a synthetic material to create a pelvic sling that provides support to keep the urethra closed. This prevents urinary “accidents,” especially when you cough or sneeze.
Many women and their doctors eventually decide on an outpatient surgery called tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). During this procedure, the doctor inserts a mesh-like tape underneath the urethra to hold it in the correct position. Women notice a difference immediately, and about 90 percent become continent.