Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows you to get the surgery you need with tiny incisions that cause less pain and bleeding and let you recover faster. At Midwest Women Obstetrician/Gynecologist Ltd in Downers Grove, Illinois, the board-certified physicians have extensive training and experience performing laparoscopy to treat many gynecologic problems. To learn more about laparoscopy or to schedule an appointment, call the office or connect online today.

What is laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat problems with your pelvic organs. During the process, your provider carefully examines the organ, determines the cause of your symptoms, and performs surgery to treat the problem.

The procedure is minimally invasive because your provider makes tiny incisions, typically less than one inch long. Then they use advanced instruments that easily fit through the narrow opening.

The key instrument, a laparoscope, holds a video camera and lighting. The camera sends a magnified view of the tissues inside your body to a monitor.

After using the images to diagnose the problem, your provider treats the condition by inserting long, slender surgical tools through the scope or additional incisions.

What is robotic-assisted laparoscopy?

Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd has extensive experience performing laparoscopies using today’s most advanced robotic technology, the da Vinci® Surgical System.

Your provider controls the da Vinci system’s robotic components. This allows them to perform more precise surgery because the robotic components have a range of motion and fine movement that exceed human hands.

The robotic arms are also smaller than hands, allowing them to access tight areas while causing little to no damage to the surrounding tissues.

When might I need a laparoscopy?

The team often performs laparoscopies to treat problems such as:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine polyps
• Pelvic adhesions
• Ovarian cysts
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Prolapsed uterus

They may treat some gynecologic cancers with a laparoscopic procedure. 

What procedures might I receive during laparoscopy?

Your provider can do most gynecologic surgeries with a laparoscopic procedure. They frequently perform procedures such as:

• Hysterectomy (to remove the uterus)
• Tubal ligation (to block your tubes)
• Myomectomy (to remove uterine fibroids)
• Cystectomy (to remove ovarian cysts)
• Endometrial ablation (to remove the uterine lining)

Your provider can do everything from simple biopsies to complex reconstructive surgery during a laparoscopy. 

What are the benefits of laparoscopy?

Small incisions cause less trauma than open incisions. That means you have:

• Less bleeding during surgery
• Less pain after surgery
• Fewer complications
• Minimal scarring
• Faster recovery and return to activities

Your provider may do some procedures on an outpatient basis. If you need to stay in the hospital, you’ll spend significantly less time compared to open surgery.

If you have questions about laparoscopy, call Midwest Women OB/GYN Ltd or book online today.