Fertility Enhancing Surgeries

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which a thin, lighted tube known as laparoscope is put through an incision in the belly to check the abdominal organs or female pelvic organs. Through this incision, the tissue sample is collected for biopsy.

 

Why is Laparoscopy done?

Laparoscopy is done to:

• Diagnostic: It is conducted to check for conditions that make the natural conception for the woman difficult, which could be related to cysts, adhesions, fibroids or infection. In such cases, laparoscopy is done after initial infertility tests, which do not indicate the cause of infertility.
• Therapeutic: Use to remove cysts, fibroids, tubal reconstructions, drainage of fluid filled in tubes, occluding the tubes in cases of hydrosalpinx, drilling the ovary in PCOS, removal of adhesions.

 

The Procedure

Laparoscopy is a 30-90 minutes procedure and is usually done under a general anesthesia. In some cases, the surgeon may recommend spinal anesthesia. A Small incision is made in the belly. Through this incision, a hollow needle is put, through which gas (carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide) in slowly released in the belly to inflate the belly, so the abdominal wall lifts away from the organs inside for a clearer view for the surgeon.

A thin, lighted tube known as the laparoscope is then put through the incision to look at the internal organs. A laser may be attached to the laparoscope to assist the surgery.

Once the surgery is completed, the gas is released from the belly and the incisions are sutured and covered with a bandage. The scars are very small and fade away over time.

 

The Recovery

The patient is monitored in the recovery room for 2-4 hours. You may resume normal day-to-day activities from next day of the surgery. Strenuous activities & exercise should be avoided for at least 1 week. You may experience some bloating & bruising around the incision for few days.

Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy procedure is done using a thin viewing tool known as hysteroscope to look at the lining of the uterus. The hysteroscope has a light and a camera attached to it, through which the doctor can see the uterus lining on the video screen.

The tip of the hysteroscope is inserted into the vagina and gently moved into the uterus through the cervix.

 

Why is it done?

A hysteroscopy is done in infertile women to

• Evaluate the uterine lining
• Manage tubal blocks
• Remove intrauterine polyps, fibroids
• Break adhesions in the uterine cavity

The Procedure

Hysteroscopy is a short day care procedure and is done using sedatives or anaesthesia. You will be asked to have an empty bladder before the test. The doctor will insert a lubricated tool, speculum into your vagina, which gently spreads apart the vaginal walls for the doctor to see inside the vagina and the cervix.

The hysteroscope will be placed at the entrance of the vagina and gently moved into the uterus through the cervix. The doctor will then put gas or liquid through the hysteroscope into the uterus for a clearer view of the uterus lining. Video screen may be used by the doctor.

 

The Recovery

After the Hysteroscopy procedure, you will be monitored in the recovery room for 1-4 hours. Most patients go home on the same day of the procedure and in very rare cases, you may be advised to stay at the facility overnight.

It is normal to have some vaginal bleeding for 1-2 days post hysteroscopy. You may experience slight dizziness, stomach sickness or mild belly pain. These are temporary and should go away in 24 hours.

In case of infertility, Laparoscopy is often performed along with Hysteroscopy as the indication may be.