Gynecologic surgeries fall under diagnostic and therapeutic categories.
Depending on whether the goal is to determine a diagnosis or manage an existing condition, our procedures can support either goal or a combination of both. Some common gynecologic procedures include:
- Adhesiolysis: This surgical procedure is performed on organs that contain bands of scar tissue called adhesions. These adhesions may form from disturbed tissue due to surgery, infections, trauma, radiation, pathologies, and more. Adhesiolysis removes adhesions from the affected organ to restore its function and reduce pain symptoms. Adhesions may form in the abdomen, uterus, ovaries, liver, bowels, and more. Talk to your Specialty Surgical Center physician about adhesiolysis for your pelvic or abdominal pain.
- Cervical Biopsy: If an abnormality is found during a routine lab test (pap smear) or pelvic exam, a cervical biopsy may be recommended to rule out certain diseases or cancers. During the procedure, a small amount of tissue is removed from the cervix and sent to the lab to be tested. The three most common types of cervical biopsies include a punch biopsy, cone biopsy, and endocervical curettage.
- Colposcopy: A colposcopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a special instrument called a colposcope to examine the vagina and vulva for signs of diseases or cancer. During the procedure, an SSC physician sprays a vinegar solution into the cervix to highlight areas that may contain abnormal, suspicious cells. The physician takes a sample of tissue and sends it to a lab to be tested. If further testing or treatment is needed, an SSC physician will speak with the patient to determine next steps.
- Hysterectomy: This procedure removes a woman’s uterus, and occasionally, the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This procedure is done to treat various conditions, some of the most common being endometriosis, cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and severe uterine prolapse. There are three different types of hysterectomy procedures: supracervical, total, and radical. An SSC physician will perform the approach that is right for you.
- Myomectomy: Fibroids are painful, noncancerous growths in the uterus that often develop during a woman’s childbearing years. A myomectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes fibroids from the uterus. This procedure may be recommended to women who suffer from fibroids and want to become pregnant. An SSC physician will discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure for women hoping to conceive.
- Pelvic Ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound is a noninvasive diagnostic exam that allows physicians to view structures within the pelvis. During an ultrasound procedure, many of the female pelvic organs can be seen, such as the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. An SSC physician will use these images to determine whether or not there are diseases of the female pelvis that need to be identified and treatment. Following a pelvic ultrasound, surgery or another treatment option may be recommended.
- Pelviscopy: This minimally invasive procedure is used to examine the organs within the abdominal cavity. A pelviscopy is typically performed on patients who suffer from pelvic pain due to ovarian cysts and fibroids, or unexplained abdominal pain. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient will need to be driven home after the pelviscopy. To learn more about this procedure, talk to an SSC physician today.