Technological advances and miniaturised surgical equipment have made it possible to examine the inside of the vagina and diagnose vaginal haemorrhaging, endometriosis and uterine polyps. With the use of tiny surgical tools, doctors can operate within the area requiring care without performing open surgery.
Gynaecological endoscopy is highly efficient in diagnosing conditions affecting your quality of lifestyle. By pinpointing the location of pain, we get one step closer to prescribing the right form of treatment.
How do you perform a gynaecological endoscopy?
An endoscope is guided through tiny incisions or directly through the natural orifice to gather more information concerning your condition. Endoscopy is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat the cause of several gynaecological conditions.
Endoscopy is carried out to differentiate between the following:
- Polyps found along the endometrial lining
- Adhesion in the endometrium
- Uterine malformations
- Fibroid uterus
Types of endoscopic procedures include:
- A hysteroscopy is performed without making incisions. Instead, a hysteroscope, a telescopic instrument about 4mm in diameter, provides clear visuals of the uterine cavity. The instrument is placed in the neck of the uterus via the orifice. General anaesthetic is made use of while the procedure is carried out for 30 minutes at most. The procedure can also be done in an office setting without the use of general anaesthetic.
Apart from providing a detailed diagnostic report, an operative hysteroscopy is a procedure to remove an endometrial polyp, endometrial adhesions and some fibroids protruding in the endometrial cavity. An endometrial polyp extraction is a fairly simple procedure that is done when the patient is under anaesthetic. - Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive option that involves accessing the abdominal cavity through a tiny incision in the stomach to get a clear view of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes; it can also be used for treatment of specific gynaecological conditions (fibroids, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancies etc.)
When is it advisable to undergo a pelvic laparoscopy?
It is advisable to undergo a pelvic laparoscopy when pelvic infections occur often, or you have a history of ectopic pregnancies. Pelvic laparoscopy effectively diagnoses and treats endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, fibroid uterus, ectopic pregnancies etc. Abnormal results from a Saline Infusion Sonohysterogram (SIS) and Hysterosalpingogram that indicates obstructed fallopian tubes are a strong indication for a laparoscopy. Other factors that necessitate a pelvic laparoscopy include suspicions of infertility, genital tuberculosis and repeated IUI failures.
