With the many advances in gynecologic surgical methods and technology, women have more choices today than ever before. Norton Women’s Care is committed to offering the most innovative, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery options available, as well as specially trained staff dedicated to helping you return to normal activities as soon as possible after surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery involves creating small incisions on the abdomen or other concealed locations such as the vagina, allowing for tiny surgical instruments to access the precise location that needs surgery, minimizing the effect on surrounding tissues. This is an alternative to traditional open surgery that usually requires cutting or stretching muscles and other tissues, which can increase pain and prolong recovery.

Norton Women’s Care gynecology specialists have experience and expertise using minimally invasive gynecologic surgery techniques and are committed to offering the least-invasive route possible to address a wide variety of conditions. These conditions include:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Large uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Ovarian cysts
• Chronic pelvic pain, including pain caused by intrauterine scar tissue
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Urinary incontinence

Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital Is a Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is a designated Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology(COEMIG). The COEMIG program is focused on improving the safety and quality of gynecologic patient care and is designed to expand access to minimally invasive gynecologic procedures performed by surgeons.

You can count on our commitment to achieving high standards in safe, quality care for patients needing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

Minimally invasive procedures available include:

• Excision of endometriosis
• Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
• Hysterectomy
• Tubal reanastomosis (reconnecting fallopian tubes)
• Robotic cerclage
• Prolapse surgery
• Pelvic mesh removal
• Ovarian cyst removal
• Nerve blocks for pelvic pain

Our providers are available for initial consultations via Norton Telehealth. In-person appointments can be booked less than a couple weeks in advance.

Gynecologic Surgery Options

Our providers will explore conservative treatment options for every patient, but if surgery is needed, they are committed to offering the least-invasive route possible.

Most gynecologic surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. It is important that you discuss all anesthesia options available before undergoing a surgical procedure.

Norton Women’s Care has a dedicated team of minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons specialized in advanced diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. The team can address any questions you may have. Appointments are available at different office locations for your convenience and via telehealth.

• Hysteroscopic surgery – A small camera is inserted through the cervix without the need for any incisions. This allows the surgeon to identify any potential pathology inside the uterus, such as polyps or intracavitary fibroids, which can be removed at the same time using specialized instruments.
• Laparoscopic surgery – Small incisions (less than half an inch) are created on the abdomen, which allow for the insertion of a slender camera and instruments. This can be used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions, including endometriosis, cysts on the ovary, fibroids, etc.
• Robotic-assisted surgery – This is the same as laparoscopic surgery, except the instruments are controlled by the surgeon through a console with 3D vision.
• VNOTES – With vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES), a camera and instruments are inserted through incisions created inside the vagina. This allows the surgeon to treat some additional conditions such as ovarian cysts or endometriosis that may otherwise not be possible via vaginal surgery alone.
• Nerve blocks – For patients with certain types of chronic pelvic pain, targeted nerve blocks may help relieve some of the symptoms. This is a five-minute procedure performed under sedation.

Patients are usually able to go home within three hours after the surgery and are able to resume most of their regular activities within a few days.

Reviewed by Steven J. Radtke, M.D., FACOG, FMIGS, gynecologic surgeon with Norton Women’s Care.