11 Most Common Gynecological Procedures

If your doctor has told you that you need to undergo a gynecological procedure, it is important not to panic. Many of these procedures are done routinely, some carry almost no risks, and the ones that are considered challenging are done with a lot of preparation from both the patient and the medical staff. 

There are different types of gynecological surgery, and in this article, we wanted to create a list of sorts that would help our readers feel more comfortable with the topic itself. After all, it is often said that the more knowledge a person possesses about something, the more they feel relaxed and reassured. 

A patient can be advised to undergo a variety of different gynecological procedures which can target different organs of the reproductive system such as the uterus, cervix, ovaries, vagina, fallopian tubes, etc. The vast majority of these have been and continue to be researched and further developed as science evolves in order to maximize the decrease in risk factors and optimize success rates. 

The priority when it comes to having successful results of any procedure, including gynecologic surgery in Boca Raton, is the selection of the medical professional who will be in charge of monitoring your reproductive health. Specialists such as dr. David Ellman, who are experienced in the field of female surgeries, can play a pivotal role in restoring your health and decreasing the risks of any future issues. 

Types of Gynecological Surgery 

Below you can find several different, most common gynecology procedures, which are described in more detail. That said, if you agree with your chosen medical provider about a potential procedure, you can find more information here. Please note that this does not mean that the article in front of you should be your only source of information. Your doctor is obliged to go through every possible detail of the surgery with you and gather the necessary information to perform the procedure successfully. In case this service is not provided to you, make sure you find another specialist to help you. 

In no particular order, the most common gynecology procedures are: 

• Cervical cryosurgery is a procedure that targets your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of your uterus, directly connected to the vagina. When a routine Pap test, i.e., the screening process for cervical cancer, indicates the presence of abnormal cervical cells, different additional procedures are recommended, including cervical cryosurgery (also called cryotherapy). During the procedure, a part of the cervix is frozen in order to destroy the cells and stop their further development into cervical cancer. 
• Dilation and Curettage (D&C) is one of the most popular gynecological procedures. This procedure is used to diagnose conditions such as uterine cancer, polyps, or the abnormal thickness of the lining called endometrial hyperplasia. During the process, the doctor uses a sharp instrument (called a curette) or a suction to remove a part of the uterine lining. D&C is often also practiced for abortion, miscarriages, retained placenta, etc. 
• Another procedure used as an additional diagnostics tool after an irregular Pap smear is a colposcopy. This procedure uses a magnifying instrument called a colposcope to examine the area and potentially take tissue samples for further testing. 
• Hysteroscopy is another quite common type of female surgeries. The chosen provider uses this approach to diagnose and treat issues concerning the uterus. It is also commonly used to remove scar tissue, map the causes of miscarriages that are repeated, and locate an IUD. During the procedure, the doctor takes a hysteroscope (a thin instrument with a light on top) to take pictures of the uterus and analyze them further. 
• Hysterectomy is a common surgical approach used to remove the uterus altogether. This is a very invasive procedure, and it is mostly the last resort when it comes to the treatment of reproductive issues. There are different types of hysterectomies, depending on which organs are to be removed, and it can be done through abdominal incisions or laparoscopically. 
• Laparoscopy of the pelvis is a surgery that is most often done with general anesthesia. Medical professionals use it when they want to perform a procedure for permanent birth control by tying the fallopian tubes (tubal litigation) when they need to repair a hernia, remove the gallbladder or treat uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Apart from this, pelvic laparoscopy can be used to remove adhesions, take biopsy samples, repair the uterus or completely remove the ovaries. 
• Removal of fibroids is also a common gynecology procedure, which can be performed in several ways. Fibroids, although non-cancerous in nature, can cause different symptoms that tend to be quite severe and affect the overall quality of a patient’s life. Uterine fibroids can be removed through a laparoscopic and a hysteroscopic myomectomy, depending on the size, location, and number of existing fibroids. 
• Removal of ovarian cysts is necessary when the patient is suffering from sacs filled with fluid in their ovaries. Usually, laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is performed in order to remove the cysts through a small incision. 
• Uterine polyps removal is performed when the patient needs the removal of polyps from the uterine wall and the uterine cavity. Polyps are benign cells, but, as is the case with fibroids, they can cause severe symptoms which need to be treated. This is usually done by performing a hysteroscopic polypectomy in order to preserve the uterus as much as possible. 
• Endometrial ablation is a gynecological procedure used to destroy the uterine lining to treat abnormal uterine bleeding, a common occurrence in menstruating women. It is done using a hysteroscope.
• The LEEP procedure is another approach used as a follow-up exam after an abnormal Pap smear. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure is utilized when there is a need to cut tissue in order to prevent abnormal cells from growing further. It is done via an electrical thin wire loop and is relatively quick and minimally invasive. 

Any Other Concerns? 

As already mentioned, this article is not here to serve as an extensive guideline when it comes to gathering information on different gynecological procedures. Regardless of the difficulty level of the recommended procedure and the risk factors, every patient needs to get a complete summary of steps and advice before the surgery. The main task of your chosen medical provider, apart from performing the procedure, is to support and guide you through this process. 

We are here for you! Our expert team at Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton is educated and skilled to provide guidance and answer all questions and concerns of our patients. Call us, schedule a consultation with our doctors and make sure that your reproductive health is taken care of in the best manner possible.