Minimally Invasive Surgery Specialist

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery uses specialized technologies, techniques, and instruments to perform surgical procedures with smaller incisions than traditional, open surgery. While open surgery involves an incision that can be several inches long, minimally invasive procedures use a few incisions that are less than one inch.

What are the different types of minimally invasive surgeries?

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery usually involves one of the following techniques:

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy uses a small tube with a camera, called a laparoscope, to visualize your pelvic organs. Dr. Fomitcheva inserts the laparoscope into a tiny incision in your abdomen. She uses the scope to diagnose conditions like endometriosis. She may make 2-3 additional tiny incisions to treat the problem using thin surgical instruments.

Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy uses a narrow magnifying device called a hysteroscope to examine the inside of your uterus without making any incisions. Dr. Fomitcheva may use hysteroscopy to diagnose the cause of conditions like abnormal bleeding.

What gynecologic conditions can minimally invasive surgery treat?

Minimally invasive surgery can help diagnose and treat many common women’s health issues, including:

• Pelvic pain
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Abnormal bleeding

Dr. Fomitcheva uses minimally invasive surgery to perform laparoscopic hysterectomies, which remove the uterus through small incisions. If a hysterectomy isn’t needed, she may perform a laparoscopic myomectomy, which involves fibroid removal.

What are the advantages of minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery uses much smaller incisions than open surgery. Smaller incisions cause less trauma to your skin and tissues, which leads to benefits like:

• Less blood loss
• Little-to-no scarring
• Reduced risk of infection
• Faster and easier recovery

Depending on the situation, Dr. Fomitcheva may perform minimally invasive surgery as an outpatient procedure, which means you can avoid a hospital stay. If you do need to stay in the hospital, it’s usually for less time than an open procedure would require.

Who is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery?

Dr. Fomitcheva takes a conservative, integrative approach to treatment and only recommends surgery when less invasive treatments have failed. When surgery is necessary, she uses minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

In certain situations, such as an enlarged uterus or multiple previous gynecologic surgeries, an open approach may be the best option.

For expertise in minimally invasive surgery, call South Shore Women's Care or request an appointment online today.