Minimally Invasive Surgery Specialist

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Surgery of any kind is traumatic to the body. But, advances in surgical tools and techniques allow physicians like Dr. Skanes to perform minimally invasive procedures that decrease trauma to your body and reduce surgical risk. 

With minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Skanes uses special surgical tools and small incisions to perform procedures. She may recommend minimally invasive surgery to treat your:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Fibroids (myomectomy)
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic pain

She only performs surgery when medical interventions fail to alleviate your symptoms. She also uses minimally invasive surgery to perform a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of your uterus. 

Dr. Skanes only recommends a hysterectomy if you have no future pregnancy plans and she thinks the procedure provides you with the best possible outcomes. 

What are the types of minimally invasive surgery?

Dr. Skanes uses many minimally invasive surgical techniques. Some of the types include:

Laparoscopic surgery

During laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Skanes uses small incisions and a laparoscope to perform procedures. The laparoscope is a thin, flexible tube Dr. Skanes inserts into your abdomen. The laparoscope has a light and a camera that transmits images of your internal organs to a computer monitor.

Dr. Skanes uses the images on the computer screen to perform the procedure. She may insert surgical tools through the laparoscope or through additional small incisions in your abdomen. 

Vaginal technique

With a vaginal technique, Dr. Skanes makes small incisions through your vagina to gain access to your reproductive organs to perform surgery. 

Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows Dr. Skanes to view the inside of your uterus using a hysteroscope, which is a thin tube with a light and camera. With the hysteroscope, she can remove fibroids, polyps, or adhesions. 

She may also perform an endometrial ablation after your hysteroscopy to treat heavy menstrual bleeding.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?

Compared to traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery offers many benefits. Dr. Skanes prefers using minimally invasive techniques because they result in:

• Minimal scarring
• Less blood loss
• Lower risk of infection
• Less post-surgical pain
• Faster recovery
• Shorter hospital stay

Though Dr. Skanes prefers minimally invasive techniques, in some situations, a traditional open procedure may make the better choice. 

To schedule a surgical consultation at Oasis Women's Health, call the office or book an appointment online today.