Gynaecological and pelvic surgery
Depending on your complaint and care needs, the gynaecologist will opt for surgery: either a surgical procedure using a conventional approach (such as a laparotomy, vaginal surgery) or keyhole surgery (such as hysteroscopy, laparoscopy), with robotic surgery used for certain procedures.
An overview of the various procedures:
Open abdominal surgery (laparotomy)
This is a conventional approach that involves an incision in the abdomen.
Applications:
- Large myomas
- Wide range of cancer operations (such as ovarian cancer)
Vaginal surgery
This is a conventional approach via the vagina.
Applications:
- Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
- Procedures for incontinence or prolapse
Hysteroscopy
This is a keyhole procedure via the vagina and the cervix, inside the uterus.
Applications:
- Intrauterine polyps or myomas
- Endometrial ablation with excessive menstrual blood loss
Laparoscopy
This is a keyhole procedure via the navel.
Applications:
- Cyst or lump in ovaries
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
Robotic surgery
This is a keyhole procedure via the abdomen where the surgeon sits at a console to operate the robotic arms with the instruments for the procedure on the patient’s body.
Applications:
- Comparable to a laparoscopy, but only for bigger and more complex operations
- Cervical cancer, uterus cancer
- Removal of the lymph glands (lymphadenectomy)