Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Female Reproductive Surgery

Gynecologic surgery is used to treat a variety of problems related to a woman’s reproductive system. Many of the gynecologic surgical procedures performed at Bassett Healthcare Network involve minimally invasive techniques, with tiny incisions rather than large cuts across the abdomen.

Reasons for Gynecologic Surgery

In many instances, gynecologic surgery is performed because it will be more effective than medications or other treatments. Reasons for the surgeries include:

• Endometriosis, when tissue lining the uterus grows outside of it
• Ovarian cysts, often removed without removing the ovary
• Heavy menstrual bleeding, which sometimes can be resolved with surgery
• Infertility, often treated with laparoscopy if fallopian tubes are blocked
• Pelvic prolapse, when the vagina, uterus, or rectum has dislocated
• Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus
• Cancer, which can affect any of the reproductive organs

Gynecology Procedures

Gynecologic surgery falls into two general categories: open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. At Bassett Healthcare Network, we provide the following types of gynecologic surgery, using both open surgery and minimally invasive techniques, including vaginal surgery, laparoscopy, and robotic surgery:

• Hysterectomy, surgically removing the uterus either vaginally or through an incision in the abdomen
• Tubal ligation, or “tying tubes” for permanent birth control
• Endometrial ablation to control heavy menstrual bleeding
• Uterine Fibroid removal, which eliminates uterine fibroids
• Pelvic prolapse surgeries, or fixing “dropped bladder” or “dropped uterus”
• Urinary incontinence surgeries, or “bladder lift” surgeries
• Gynecologic cancer surgeries

When possible, surgeons at Bassett Healthcare Network prefer minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopy, or robotic-assisted surgeries, which use one or more small incisions in the abdomen to see and treat the problem. It’s often performed as an outpatient procedure and offers a quicker recovery than open surgery.

If open surgery is necessary for a major surgery such as hysterectomy, it often requires an overnight hospital stay and additional recovery time. The approach and type of anesthesia used, as well as your recovery plan, will depend on your individual condition and medical needs.

Talk to Your Primary Care Practitioner

Many problems of the female reproductive system are successfully treated with surgery. To schedule an appointment for a surgical consultation, please call (607) 547-3160.

Bassett Healthcare Network offers gynecologic surgery in Central New York, including Cooperstown, Oneonta, Herkimer, Little Falls, and Cobleskill.