Schererville and northwest Indiana residents ask about minimally invasive surgery to remove uterine fibroids
Schererville residents turn to the physicians at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates for women’s health care. Our practice proudly offers complete care including the use of minimally invasive surgery for hysterectomies, cyst or fibroid removal, and endometriosis treatment.
What are uterine fibroids?
Fibroid tumors or myomas are benign lumps that grow on the uterus. They may show up on the inside, outside, or along the uterine wall. Although they generally do not cause problems, for some patients, fibroids may cause abdominal cramping or fullness, heavy periods, and low back pain.
Treatment options
Traditionally, fibroids have been removed using a large abdominal incision for surgery. Medical advances have allowed for less invasive measures such as laparoscopy or hysteroscopy.
Using a thin telescope with a light called a hysteroscope, hysteroscopy allows the physician to examine, diagnose, and treat uterine problems. The hysteroscope is used to assess the cervix and uterus after being inserted through the vaginal opening. Hysteroscopy may be diagnostic or operative.
- Diagnostic hysteroscopy is done to examine and diagnose problems of the uterus. This can be used along with other procedures so the physician can detect and treat problems at once. Often our physicians will perform a sonohystogram in the office which is a special ultrasound, thus avoiding the need and expense of a diagnostic hysteroscopy
- Operative hysteroscopy corrects abnormal conditions detected during a diagnostic procedure.
A hysteroscopy is often used to perform a myomectomy, which involves the removal of uterine fibroids. During a hysteroscopic myomectomy, the fibroids are removed without damaging the healthy uterine tissue making it a good option for women who wish to maintain the integrity of the uterus. The doctor inserts the hysteroscope through the vagina and removes the fibroids. Only small, accessible fibroids on the inside of the uterus can be removed in this manner. Benefits include:
- No incision is needed
- Outpatient procedure
- Short recovery period
For more information on minimally invasive surgery, contact Northwestern Women’s Health Associates at 312-440-9400.
