Surgery
Hysteroscopy
What is a hysteroscopy?
Hysteroscopy is the inspection of the uterine cavity with access through the cervix. It allows for the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology and the opening of fallopian tubes. During a hysteroscopy, a polyp may be removed, or a biopsy sample may be collected. It is a minimally invasive procedure that needs a short hospital stay and has a quick recovery.
Hysteroscopy is an essential step to improve your chances of conception, as it helps to detect if there is any intrauterine defect that can interfere with the implantation.
Why is hysteroscopy done?
Hysteroscopy is done to evaluate the possible causes of infertility and repeated miscarriages. If you are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, discomfort, and pain, your doctor may suggest you to undergo a hysteroscopy.
Chances of conception become brighter after uterine polyps or scar tissue are removed using hysteroscopy.
Uterine polyps or removal of scar tissue done with the help of hysteroscopy increases the chances of conception.
To determine whether your womb is healthy enough to support a successful IVF process, experts will advise you to have a hysteroscopy. Any positive findings can help to prevent IVF failure and your financial burden or emotional turmoil.
In addition to aiding in diagnosis, hysteroscopy is also used to carry out minor surgical procedures. The hysteroscopy technique often treats any minor uterine anatomical problems.
By using hysteroscopy, your doctor can treat the following uterine conditions:
Removal of fibroids and polyps
Find and remove adhesions
Septums
Abnormal bleeding
What does the procedure look like?
- To get a better view of the uterus, hysteroscopy surgery is performed by a surgeon one week after your menstruation.
- To help you relax, you'll be given sedatives before the surgery.
- Local, regional, or general anesthesia may be used depending on your condition.
- A speculum is used to dilate your cervix.
- A tiny tube with a light and camera called a hysteroscope will be placed into the vagina by the surgeon.
- To get better visibility, saline solution is inserted through the hysteroscope.
- The patient and the operating environment are now set for the doctor to examine the uterus.
- The doctor makes a diagnosis and, if needed, performs a surgery using small instruments.
- Depending on the necessary diagnostic and surgical procedures, the entire process can take anywhere from five to thirty minutes.
What is the procedure post hysteroscopy?
You will be fit to leave the hospital in an hour if the procedure involves only local anesthesia. In the case of general anesthesia, you might need to wait for the effects to subside.
You might be required to be under observation which can take a few hours or even an overnight stay. But you might need a day off before rejoining work if any surgery was performed.
Your post-hysteroscopy symptoms might include cramping, bleeding or spotting, dizziness, fever, and nausea. If you experience any of these issues, talk to your doctor.
What are the benefits of hysteroscopy?
- A definitive diagnosis.
- Enables to perform corrective surgery in the same sitting.
- A relatively short hospital stay for the patient.
- A quick recovery.
- After the surgery, there is less discomfort and less need for medicine.
- It prevents any open surgical incisions.
What are the complications associated with hysteroscopy?
Laparoscopy
What is laparoscopy?
Also known as bandage surgery and keyhole surgery, Laparoscopy aids in the identification and treatment of infertility problems.
A thin tube called a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. In order to identify the reasons for infertility, a high-definition camera on the front of the laparoscope is used to view the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The images then clicked are sent to a video monitor.
It is less invasive and causes minimal pain. Short hospital stays are needed because of the swift recovery.
If you're having trouble becoming pregnant or dealing with any infertility issues, your doctor might suggest you have a laparoscopy post-baseline infertility evaluation. It is a small surgical procedure that helps the doctor to look directly at your reproductive organs. The diagnosis then received can raise your chances of pregnancy.
Why is laparoscopy needed?
- Blocked fallopian tubes, hydrosalpinx.
- Scar tissue build-up, adhesions.
- Endometriosis.
- Fibroid, ovarian cyst.
- Other anatomical abnormalities of the reproductive system.
What is the procedure of laparoscopy?
The next steps are determined by the diagnosis. If an anomaly requires surgery, a third incision is made to perform the surgery. Post-surgery, the surgeon will take the instruments out and sew the incision areas. After a short period of observation, the patient will be released and returned home.
As the gas that was injected into the patient starts to absorb, the patient might also feel slight pain in their shoulders and abdomen. These symptoms will disappear within a few days.