Overview of reproductive surgery
When a woman cannot conceive for a long time despite all her efforts, she needs medical help. Doctors now suggest reproductive surgery to cure this fertility problem. There may be various reasons for infertility in a woman. Thus, reproductive surgeries are also of various kinds, depending on the type of treatment required by a patient. Experienced gynaecologists always conduct these surgeries after detecting a woman's type of reproductive disorder.
More details of the reproductive surgery
Reproductive surgery deals with any female reproductive organs, like the ovaries, uterus, or fallopian tubes. The removal of fibroids, cysts, or tumours from these organs is the common surgery needed to improve women's fertility. Some infertility problems, like endometriosis, can be hereditary, which are carried by genes of women whose female ancestors had these reproductive issues. Reproductive surgery is the only option to cure these problems, as medications usually fail to treat these patients.
Who qualifies for reproductive surgery?
Many women are desperate to have a baby but fail to conceive due to abnormalities or problems in their reproductive organs. These women must undergo reproductive surgeries by experienced gynaecologists in reputed hospitals. Some women also have birth problems, like the irregular shape of the uterus or blockage in the cervix, which can be rectified only through surgery.
Why is reproductive surgery conducted?
Reproductive surgery is mainly conducted to cure the infertility problem of a woman. It can be used for diagnostic purposes, as well as for the treatment of some reproductive complications. Reproductive surgery is useful in curing uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, ovarian cysts, blockage in fallopian tubes, and intrauterine scars. Fertility issues in men, like sperm blockage, can also be treated by reproductive surgery.
Different types of reproductive surgery
Doctors conduct varieties of reproductive surgeries according to the conditions of their patients.
- Laparoscopy: A small tool carrying a high-definition camera is inserted into the pelvic region through a tiny incision in the patient's belly button. It is useful in removing scars and fibroids found on the inner walls of reproductive organs. It is completed within a couple of hours, and the patient recovers in a few weeks.
- Hysteroscopy: A thin tool resembling a small telescope called a hysteroscope is inserted into the vagina. It is attached with a powerful camera that captures images of the internal parts of the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
- Laparotomy: This is an open surgery to see the abdominal cavity's inner parts. Thus, patients need to stay in the hospital until they fully recover, much like a caesarian surgery. Only complicated problems in the pelvic organs or multiple fibroids in the uterus demand this surgery.
- Robotic surgery: It is a modern form of laparoscopy, which is carried out by a robot. An experienced surgeon monitors the robot's actions and guides it while removing fibroids or tumours from reproductive organs. The robot is designed to perform the surgery more efficiently by making smaller incisions and saving all surrounding tissues. Thus, the recovery is much quicker in the case of this reproductive surgery.
Benefits of reproductive surgery
- Most reproductive surgeries are relatively painless compared to other surgeries
- The recovery time is much lesser except for the laparotomy
- The surgery is more neatly done while clearing fibroids and polyps
- Almost 100% success is achieved in every reproductive surgery
- Cost is lower than traditional surgeries
Risks involved in a reproductive surgery
The insertion of a camera-carrying tool may damage the tissues on the walls of reproductive organs. Moreover, the surgery may give rise to tubular infertility, mainly if any damage occurs during the surgery.
Conclusion
All gynaecologists prefer reproductive surgeries to cure the infertility of their patients. The lack of timely treatment of some complications, like fibroids or cysts, may lead to cancer. Male infertility is treated by specialists in this matter, with medications or surgery, whatever is needed. Therefore, the best doctor should be contacted for these surgeries.
Doctors make an incision of 0.5 – 1 cm in length for conducting a laparoscopy on the abdominal and pelvic regions of the patient. Hence, it is also called keyhole surgery due to the tiny size of this incision.
Generally, a patient needs 4 – 6 weeks for full recovery after undergoing a laparotomy. As the incision is made by cutting through the abdominal muscles and linings of organs, the recovery time is longer than other reproductive surgeries.
Doctors conduct an ultrasound to find the condition of patients' reproductive organs. Based on the reports of this test, they decide the type of reproductive surgery to conduct on a patient
General anesthesia is applied before conducting laparoscopy, laparotomy, and robotic surgery. Trained anesthesiologists make patients unconscious for as long as the surgery will be conducted.
Most reproductive surgeries are 100% successful in clearing all obstacles towards pregnancy. However, fertility also depends on several lifestyle factors that should be rectified.
