Surgical Procedures

Comprehensive surgical therapy is available at our Center. Each of our physicians is trained in obstetrics and gynecology, and board certified in the sub-specialty of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. A consultation can be arranged by calling our Center. Pre-certification for all procedures is done by the Emory Reproductive Center.

The procedures most often relevant to fertility patients are outlined below:

LAPAROSCOPY — Minimally Invasive Surgery

A laparoscope is a telescope designed for medical use. It is placed into the abdomen under general anesthesia and connected to a high-power light source and a very sophisticated camera. Your physician can view images of your pelvis on a video screen and uses special instruments to diagnose and treat any abnormalities.

Diagnostic laparoscopy can be a routine part of the infertility evaluation. It is also used to diagnose and treat pelvic pain or ovarian cysts. Endometriosis and pelvic adhesions (scar tissue) are frequently amenable to laparoscopic treatment. Many patients who historically would have required major abdominal surgery can be treated as outpatients by using laparoscopy. This procedure is performed in the Outpatient Surgical Center at Emory Crawford Long Hospital.

HYSTEROSCOPY — Minimally Invasive Surgery

A hysteroscope is a narrow telescope adapted for medical use. It is placed into the uterus via the vagina and cervix, usually under general anesthesia. The hysteroscope has a fiberoptic light source and a sophisticated camera attached to it. Your physician can view the uterine lining and the origin of the fallopian tubes (ostia) on a video monitor. Specially adapted instruments can pass through the hysteroscope and allow direct treatment of various abnormalities that may be associated with infertility or abnormal uterine bleeding.

Conditions treated using hysteroscopy include: uterine polyps, sub-mucous myomas (small fibroids in the uterine cavity), uterine adhesions (Asherman's syndrome), uterine septa, and proximal fallopian tube obstruction. This procedure is performed in the Outpatient Surgical Center at Emory Crawford Long Hospital. Recovery is rapid, usually a matter of days.

SURGERY FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS

Endometriosis is tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus but grows in other parts of the body. In the pelvis, it can be associated with infertility and pelvic pain. It is diagnosed through laparoscope and most of the disease can be treated laparoscopically. Occasionally, patients have such extensive endometriosis and scarring that an open abdominal surgery is required.

SURGERY FOR UTERINE FIBROIDS

Uterine fibroids (myomas) are benign growths of the uterus, which may cause pain, infertility or abnormal uterine bleeding. Depending on the size and location of the myomas, surgical removal and reconstruction of the uterus is recommended. Myomas growing within the uterine cavity can be removed via the hysteroscope. Myomas growing in the uterine wall may require surgery through the open abdomen or the laparoscope.

TUBAL LIGATION REVERSAL

Patients who have had a tubal ligation but who now wish to become pregnant have the option of undergoing in vitro fertilization or tubal reversal. Tubal reversal is a microscopic operation performed through an abdominal incision. Our physicians can best advise you if we are provided with your tubal ligation operation notes, which can be obtained from the surgeon or hospital that performed your tubal ligation. While recovery time for the reversal procedure may vary from individual to individual, for laparoscopic surgery it takes from 3-10 days. Recovery from surgery through an abdominal incision can take 3-6 weeks.

Call 404-778-3401 to make an appointment with one our specialists.