Minimally invasive surgical options for women

Posted 7/2/14

by Lynda Thomas-Mabine

Gynecological surgery has evolved rapidly in the past few years. New surgical and non-surgical options are emerging for a variety of gynecological conditions, with major …

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Minimally invasive surgical options for women

Posted

by Lynda Thomas-Mabine

Gynecological surgery has evolved rapidly in the past few years. New surgical and non-surgical options are emerging for a variety of gynecological conditions, with major emphasis on minimally invasive and non-invasive options.

To support the needs of women in our community, Chestnut Hill Hospital’s Minimally Invasive Surgical Institute has become a leader in gynecologic surgery, providing comprehensive care for women with conditions including uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, endometriosis, pelvic organ prolapse, cervical incompetence and ovarian cysts – offering the latest minimally invasive options for these conditions.

Some two-thirds of women will experience a pelvic health problem during their lifetime. COEMIG was designed to expand patient awareness of – and access to - minimally invasive gynecologic procedures and help to ensure that women are aware of their surgical treatment options and the benefits of less invasive approaches.

The main goal of minimally invasive surgery is to avoid a large incision, which almost always means faster and easier recovery time; less pain; less blood loss; and decreased scar tissue formation for patients.

The majority of our procedures are performed via laparoscopy or hysteroscopy requiring small incisions or no incisions. We get referrals from other providers for complicated cases that would otherwise be performed via a large abdominal incision. Our experts also collaborate with Penn specialists in urogynecology, Temple gynecologic oncology and reproductive specialists to offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.

Our board-certified gynecological surgeons are trained in the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic surgery, giving us the flexibility to provide the right surgery for the specific needs of our patients. By applying advanced techniques we can offer alternatives to procedures that once required invasive surgery, general anesthesia and hospitalization. The gynecological surgeries performed at Chestnut Hill Hospital include:

• Hysteroscopy – Hysteroscopy can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes such as treating abnormal bleeding or removing fibroid tumors.

• Hysterectomy – Hysterectomy, a procedure to remove the uterus, is performed for many reasons, including the removal of fibroid tumors and the treatment of endometriosis.

• Fertility enhancing surgery - Infertility affects about 12 percent of couples of childbearing age. Our genealogical surgeons employ a number of different surgeries to enhance fertility.

• Endometrial ablation – Endometrial ablations are an alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of menorrhagia in women who wish to keep their uterus.

• Office sterilization (Essure®) – Essure is a female sterilization option that can be competed in the office without any incisions.

• Myomectomy – Myomectomies are performed to remove fibroids without removing the uterus.

Of course, some surgical options are not appropriate for all patients, and you can only know which option is best for you by consulting directly with your physician.

Lynda Thomas-Mabine, M.D., is a member of the medical/gynecology staff at Chestnut Hill Hospital. She is accepting new patients at Chestnut Hill Women’s Associates, located at the Hospital. She lives in the community with her husband and daughter.

Meet Dr. Thomas-Mabine before the Pastorius Park Free Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9. Bring your questions.

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