Minimal Access Surgeries are usually useful for the removal of uterine fibroids, polyps, and congenital uterine deformities, such a septum, pelvic adhesions, and endometriosis tissue in women.
Let’s us delve a little deeper into each of these conditions:
Uterine Fibroids
Muscular growths known as fibroids, can occur anywhere along the uterine wall. Depending on their size, quantity, and placement, they may either be symptoms of or contribute to infertility. They are harmless in more than 99 percent of cases (noncancerous). Up to 1 in 5 women of reproductive age are affected, although many may not experience any symptoms. However, they can lead to infertility and have a negative impact on IVF results. Surgical removal of uterine fibroids reduces heavy periods, increases chances of conception since the patient can still preserve the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Mullerian Anomalies
Mullerian abnormalities, often known as “uterine anomalies,” are a group of birth defects affecting the fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina, and uterus. These abnormalities may make it challenging or unattainable for a woman to get pregnant. Surgery with minimally invasive techniques is commonly an efficient way to treat Mullerian abnormalities.
Fallopian Tube Blockage
The ovaries and uterus are connected by fallopian tubes. The egg is fertilised by the sperm inside the fallopian tubes after sexual contact. After fertilisation, the egg moves to the uterus where it grows into an embryo and a fetus.
A woman’s fallopian tubes may be damaged or blocked for a number of reasons which can prevent both the sperm from fertilising the egg and the fertilised egg from entering the uterus. Although surgical repair is only an option if the damage is minimal, it may be possible to surgically reopen and repair damaged or blocked tubes. Ectopic pregnancies can also result from damaged fallopian tubes. Laparoscopy is frequently used to treat these abnormal pregnancies. IVF, which utilizes laboratory fertilisation rather than fallopian tubes, is another option available to women with tubal factor infertility.
Ovarian Cysts
The two organs that produce a woman’s eggs, the ovaries, can develop fluid-filled sacs called ovarian cysts in or on them. Cysts can affect a woman’s ovulation and thus her fertility, while some will go away on their own. This is mostly relevant in the case of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Although surgery is often not used to treat PCOS, ovarian cysts can sometimes be detected and diagnosed by surgeons using minimally invasive methods.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue from the uterine lining (known as the endometrium) develops outside of the uterus. Pelvic discomfort and infertility may result from this having an adverse impact on other reproductive organs. Laparoscopy may be performed to treat endometriosis, reduce the levels of a woman’s infertility, and to combat its painful symptoms.
Uterine Septum
The uterine septum is the band of tissue with little or no blood flow located at the top of the uterus. Any pregnancy that implants in this area is therefore likely to culminate in a miscarriage. Septums can range in size from being quite tiny to completely occupying the uterus. Hysteroscopy is usually used to treat uterine septums, and the septum is removed. Saline sonography or a hysterosalpingogram are often used to identify septums.
Pelvic Adhesions
Pelvic adhesions generally a result of previous surgery, but some can develop after a pelvic infection and often go along with more advanced stages of endometriosis. This is often diagnosed If the pelvic organs are found to be connected to one another during laparoscopy. When an egg is discharged from the ovary, the fallopian tubes cannot pick it up if they are attached to another pelvic structure. Again, egg collection or ovulation is obstructed if the ovaries are attached to the abdominal wall.
Laparoscopy uses lasers, scissors, and other tools to reduce or remove pelvic adhesions, allowing the ovary and fallopian tubes to reposition themselves and improving the chances of a healthy pregnancy. Endometriosis, past vaginal infections, and previous pelvic procedures are all potential causes of pelvic adhesions.
Unruptured Ectopic Pregnancies
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat unruptured ectopic pregnancies. If the ectopic has already ruptured and the patient’s vitals indicate that immediate action is required to stop internal bleeding, a laparotomy is carried out in its place.
