Minimal Access Surgery
Minimal Access/Invasive Surgery is a surgical procedure that involves small (keyhole) incisions on the skin instead of large incisions. The surgeon introduces a telescope with a video camera through this incision into the body cavity and operates by viewing the surgery on a TV monitor.
This approach helps in the early discharge and recovery of patients as they are usually walking around in a few hours after the surgery and can resume their daily activities in no time.
The client complains of minimal pain and has very good wound healing. The Department of Minimal Access Surgery offers a full spectrum of specialized surgeries – gynaecological, surgical and urological surgery.
Our team of surgeons at NVH is trained to carry out gynaecological laparoscopy, pediatric and urological surgeries. Patients are discharged the same day or after 24 hours.
In minimal access procedure or laparoscopic surgeries, the surgeon introduces a telescope with a video camera attached to it through a small incision made into the body cavity and operates by viewing the surgery on a TV monitor. Large lesions such as fibroids can be removed from such small incisions. This approach helps in:
- Reducing the size of the scar on the abdomen and hence giving better cosmesis
- Reduces post-operative pains and encourages early recovery as evidenced by clients moving around hours after surgery and they can get discharged the same day
- Reduces blood loss at surgery hence in most cases there is no need for blood transfusion
- Clients can resume home and office duties within a couple of days.
Laparoscopy presently can be used in most procedures today. It is safe and carries a lot of benefits. Discuss with our team of surgeons if you think you will benefit from it.
MINIMAL ACCESS PROCEDURES
Our team of surgeons at NVH is trained to carry out gynaecological laparoscopy, endoscopic, pediatric and urological surgeries. Patients are discharged the same day or after 24 hours. Procedures carried out at the NVH include:
LAPAROSCOPIC CYSTECTOMY
This is the surgical removal of fluid-filled sacs called ovarian cyst attached to one or both ovaries. The ovarian cyst could become very painful when:
- it twists on itself [tortioned ovarian cyst]
- it bleeds into the cavity [hemorrhagic ovarian cyst]
- if it ruptures and releases its contents [ruptured ovarian cyst]
- if it gets infected [infected ovarian cyst]
LAPAROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY
Uterine fibroid could be removed via small incisions on the abdomen. They are subsequently morcellated/cut up into little parts to enable removal through these incisions.
LAPAROSCOPIC OVARIAN DRILLING
This procedure is carried out to release excessive fluid in women with polycystic ovaries. Polycystic ovaries are one of the common causes of infertility. A probe is inserted into the ovary at several points to reduce its size and cause the woman to ovulate naturally.
LAPAROSCOPIC SALPINGECTOMY
A pregnancy can implant in a woman’s fallopian tube and begin to grow. Because the tube is a small structure it ruptures over time causing massive internal bleeding. If not identified and corrected it could lead to death from shock. This laparoscopic procedure is carried out to remove the damaged tube and stop the bleeding.
LAPAROSCOPIC SALPINGOTOMY
A pregnancy can implant in a woman’s fallopian tube and begin to grow. In cases where the fallopian tube has not ruptured, an incision could be made on it and the ectopic pregnancy ‘milked out’. This laparoscopic procedure is carried out to conserve the tube of the client especially in cases where the other fallopian tube is damaged.
TOTAL LAPAROSCOPIC HYSTERECTOMY
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus [womb] through small incisions on the skin. It is usually indicated for abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who have completed their family’s size. If women are suspected to have suspicious lesions that could lead to cancer over time, it is advisable to undergo a hysterectomy.
LAPAROSCOPIC CERVICAL CERCLAGE
Some women undergo recurrent miscarriages because the neck of the womb is lax or weak. Laparoscopic cerclage insertion enables proper placement of the thread at the internal os of the cervix to enable women with cervical incompetence to carry pregnancies to term [9 months].
LAPAROSCOPIC TUBAL LIGATION
For women who have completed their family and do not want more children, laparoscopic tubal ligation is a useful procedure. This procedure ensures the tubes are ligated/blocked, hence preventing pregnancy by ensuring the sperm and eggs do not meet.
DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY
Diagnostic laparoscopy involves looking into the abdominal cavity to find any disease. It is a useful procedure because most of the organs can be visualized directly and the necessary operative procedure carried out in the event of health challenges. If there is no pathology seen, the client has the small incisions closed and goes home after a few hours.
LAPAROSCOPIC SALPINGO-OOPHORECTOMY
Salpingo-oophorectomy involves the removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes. This surgical procedure is used to treat a variety of conditions, including ovarian cancer in which the uterus and some other structures are removed.
DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY AND DYE TEST
A laparoscopy and dye test is an operative procedure to look at your internal organs usually the fallopian tube. A blue dye is pushed through the vaginal and the fallopian tube checked if the fluid flowed out through the other end of the tube.
DIAGNOSTIC HYSTEROSCOPY
This is a procedure where the light source is inserted into the uterus to view the endometrial lining of the uterus, the cervix and the opening of the fallopian tubes.
HYSTEROSCOPIC ADHESIOLYSIS
This procedure involves breaking down adhesions within the uterine cavity which could have resulted from repeated dilatation and curettage (D & C), postpartum infection.
HYSTEROSCOPIC TUBAL CANNULATION
Fallopian tube cannulation is a surgical procedure aimed at opening proximal tubal occlusion in the fallopian tube (blockage in the part of the fallopian tubes closest to the womb). Fallopian tube blockage is a common cause of infertility in women.
HYSTEROSCOPIC MYOMECTOMY
It is a surgical procedure done from the vaginal route in which fibroids within the endometrial lining of the womb are removed. Women with endometrial fibroid are counselled to get this procedure done because of an increased chance of miscarriage if the IVF procedure is carried out.
HYSTEROSCOPIC POLYPECTOMY
Polyps are abnormal tissue growths that most often look like small, flat bumps or tiny mushroom-like stalks. They are a common cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding in women. Most polyps are removed using laparoscopic scissors.
HYSTEROSCOPIC SEPTUM RESECTION
The presence of a septate uterus in a woman of reproductive age can lead to recurrent pregnancy losses. It occurs when there is a fibrous band running down the middle of the uterus. These fibrous bands can be removed laparoscopically.
HYSTEROSCOPIC RETRIEVAL OF FOREIGN BODY
The commonest foreign body retrieved in the uterus is the IUCD [or Copper T]. Usually inserted into the uterus for family planning, it could get lost within the cavity or deeply embedded into the uterine wall requiring hysteroscopic removal under direct vision.
HYSTEROSCOPIC ENDOMETRIAL ABLATION
Endometrial ablation is a surgical procedure used to destroy the endometrial lining of the uterus in women who have heavy menstrual flow. The procedure reduces the bleeding by causing the 2 walls of the uterus to fuse. It is carried out in women who no longer wish to have children.
