Medically Reviewed by Gary H. Emerson, MD

From large, very visible scars traveling across the abdomen to small scars, less pain, and faster recovery.  That describes the path that surgery for incontinence and other women’s pelvic health problems has taken in the 21st Century. McLeod Gynecologist Gary Emerson, M.D., describes the progress and outlines where minimally invasive techniques are used today:

Key points in the video:

• Generally, it means instead of making one large incision several inches long, 3 or 4 much smaller incisions are used.
• In gynecology, a long instrument, called a laparoscope, is used to perform the surgery, while the surgeon watches on a TV screen.
• Minimally invasive surgery reduces risk of bleeding, less pain after surgery, shorter hospital stay, faster return to normal activities.
• Common GYN surgeries performed with minimally invasive techniques:
  • Laparascopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids
  • Ovarian Cysts

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