Minimally invasive surgery

Overview

Smaller cuts, less pain and a faster return to your life. Minimally invasive surgery offers several potential benefits over traditional open surgery, including smaller cuts and less pain. The specialist team at Minerva Women's Healthcare provides minimally invasive options to reduce your downtime and speed your recovery, where these are suitable for your condition. Call or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

At a glance

Minimally invasive surgery uses small cuts, or no cuts at all, instead of one large incision
Benefits can include less pain, less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery
Common techniques include laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) and hysteroscopy
It is used to treat conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts and prolapse
Not every condition can be treated this way. Your surgeon will recommend the safest option for you

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Traditional open surgery needs a large cut so the surgeon can see and reach the area being treated. Minimally invasive surgery usually needs only small cuts. Your doctor can still treat you effectively, and your recovery time is usually shorter. You may also have less bleeding and pain.

What types of minimally invasive surgery do we offer?

Laparoscopy: Laparoscopy is keyhole surgery, usually done as a day case. A laparoscope, a slim instrument with a camera, is inserted through a tiny cut in your abdomen and sends images to a screen. This gives your surgeon a clear, real-time view of your uterus and pelvis without a large incision. Surgical instruments are passed through one or more other small cuts. You are usually asleep during the whole procedure, and many women go home the same day.

Hysteroscopy: A thin camera is passed through the vagina and cervix to see inside the uterus, with no cuts at all. It is used to diagnose and treat problems such as polyps, some fibroids and abnormal bleeding.

Robot-assisted surgery: In some centres, surgeons use a robotic system, where they control small instruments from a console. It may be used for complex operations such as hysterectomy or removal of difficult fibroids. Ask us whether this is an option for you.

What conditions can be treated?

We may recommend minimally invasive surgery to treat:

Endometriosis
Fibroids
Ovarian cysts
Permanent sterilisation (tubal ligation)
Pelvic adhesions
Ectopic pregnancy
Hysterectomy, in suitable cases

Laparoscopy can also help correct some pelvic floor disorders, such as pelvic organ prolapse, where the bladder, uterus or rectum drops into the vagina.

What are the benefits?

Compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery may offer:

Smaller cuts and less scarring
Less pain
Less blood loss
A shorter hospital stay
A lower risk of wound infection
A faster recovery, with an earlier return to your daily activities

Is minimally invasive surgery right for me?

Not everyone is suitable. Open surgery may be safer if you have a very large fibroid, extensive scarring from earlier surgery, a suspected cancer or other complex condition. Your surgeon will talk through the benefits and risks of each approach, and may need to switch to open surgery during the procedure if it becomes necessary for your safety.

What should I expect?

Before surgery: Follow your surgeon's instructions on eating, drinking and medicines, and arrange for someone to take you home.

During surgery: You are usually asleep under general anaesthesia. The surgeon makes small cuts, inflates the abdomen gently with gas to create space, and carries out the procedure.

After surgery: Many women go home the same day or the next day. You may have some shoulder-tip pain from the gas, mild soreness and bloating for a few days. Rest, take your medicines as prescribed and avoid heavy lifting until your surgeon says it is safe.

Contact us promptly if you have heavy bleeding, fever, severe or worsening pain, redness or discharge from a wound, vomiting, or trouble passing urine.

Common questions

Will I have scars?

Small ones, usually, and they fade over time.

How long will recovery take?

It depends on the operation. Many women return to light activity within days to a couple of weeks, but major procedures take longer.

Is it as effective as open surgery?

For many conditions, yes. Your surgeon will advise whether it is the right option for your condition.

Are there risks?

All surgery has risks, including bleeding, infection, injury to nearby organs and anaesthetic complications. We will explain these before you decide.

Ready to learn more?

If you are exploring alternatives to open surgery, call Minerva Women's Healthcare or book a consultation online. It takes about a minute, and no account is needed.

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