Women's Health

Gynecological Surgery

Sometimes surgery is needed to help with ongoing problems such as painful periods, infertility and incontinence (loss of urine) or cancer of the reproductive organs.

We offer all types of gynecological surgeries, including laparoscopic (minimally invasive) procedures using smaller incisions than traditional surgeries. These laparoscopic procedures mean less healing time so you can recover faster.

Our outstanding surgeons can help with many common problems or concerns.

• Incontinence. With childbirth, aging, surgeries, disease or trauma, the muscles holding the bladder in place may become weaker. While non-surgical options may help, if your condition fails to improve, surgery may be recommended. Our pioneering work with the transvaginal tape has produced excellent results in improving women’s bladder function.
• Pelvic pain and infertility. Surgery may improve infertility when a woman has endometriosis, tubal disease or other conditions of the reproductive organs. We offer diagnosis and surgical interventions to reduce pain and other symptoms.
• Gynecological oncology. We treat cancer of the ovary, uterus, cervix, vulva and vagina using surgery and other treatments. We treat complex gynecological problems, as well as gestational trophoblastic disease during pregnancy. We are a center for ongoing clinical trials for gene therapy for ovarian cancer.
• Prenatal surgeries. Our specialists in maternal-fetal medicine use advanced techniques to diagnose and treat fetuses in the uterus.
• Microsurgical tubal reversals. Microsurgery (under a microscope) shows demonstrated success restoring a woman's fertility after tubal ligation.

If a hysterectomy is recommended, your doctor will talk over the options, including:

• Abdominal hysterectomy. An incision is done across the belly and may go up and down, or across just above your pubic hair. While generally only the uterus is removed, in some cases, such as cancer, your surgeon may remove part or all of the cervix or vagina.
• Minimally invasive hysterectomy. A laparoscopic, or minimally invasive, hysterectomy uses keyhole-sized incisions. Your surgeon may also use robotic assistance.
• Vaginal hysterectomy. The uterus is removed through an incision in the vagina.

More information about these types of procedures can be found at the federal Department of Health and Human Services website for women’s health information.