Surgical Correction
From Dr. Gunnala’s experience as an expert in Laser Laparoscopy, infertility can be attributed to structural or pathological abnormalities within the woman’s pelvic cavity. In addition to infertility, these abnormalities may cause the woman to experience severe pelvic pain or heavy menstrual bleeding. Many of these conditions can be treated surgically. Following surgical repair the woman may be able to conceive naturally without any additional treatment or minimal treatment.
There are several different types of Surgical Correction:
Laparoscopy
This is an outpatient surgical procedure. Using general anesthesia, the woman is under general anesthesia for the surgery. A small incision is made below the belly button and another incision is made just above the pubic bone. Using a thin fiber optic scope, the uterus, ovaries, and Fallopian tubes are visualized. Any abnormal findings such as endometriosis or scar tissue are removed through microsurgery of laser surgery.
Tubal Reversal
Tubal reversal, also called tubal sterilization reversal or tubal ligation reversal, is a surgical procedure that attempts to restore fertility to women after a tubal ligation. By rejoining the separated segments of fallopian tube, tubal reversal may give women the chance to become pregnant again.
Tubal reversal surgeries utilize the techniques of microsurgery to open and reconnect the fallopian tube segments that remain after a tubal sterilization. Microsurgery minimizes tissue damage and bleeding during surgery. Essential elements of microsurgical technique include gentle tissue handling, magnifying the operating field, keeping body tissues in their normal state with warmed irrigation fluids, and using the smallest sutures with the thinnest needles capable of holding the tubal ends together to promote proper healing of the rejoined tubal segments.
Laser Laparoscopy
Laser (“light amplified stimulation emission radiation”) is an intensified single frequency of light that allows cutting, cauterizing or vaporizing of tissue. The laser is used like a scalpel. Surgical lasers are designed to treat the damaged tissue while minimizing damage to adjacent healthy tissue. Laser laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure and most patients fully recover within just a few days. This surgery is often used for treating endometriosis or pelvic adhesive disease (scar tissue).
Operative Hysteroscopy
Similar to a laparoscopy, a thin fiber optic scope is inserted through the cervix and into the cavity of the uterus. This scope allows direct visualization of the uterine cavity where there may be polyps (an overgrowth x2 of tissue on the internal surface of the uterine lining) or fibroid tumors (an overgrowth x2 of the uterine muscle tissue). In many cases the polyps or fibroids can be removed using the hysteroscope alone. This significantly reduces the woman’s recovery time and leaves no incisions.
Ovarian Diathermy
This laser laparoscopic surgery (also called ovarian drilling) is indicated for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a condition where small follicles develop but do not mature and do not ovulate. These ovaries produce higher levels of male hormones which prevent egg maturation. A laser is used to “drill” small holes into the ovary and destroy the tissue that produces the male hormones. Following surgery, the woman may conceive on her own or may conceive with lower doses of fertility medications
Call 602-956-7481 to speak with a Fertility Specialist today about surgical correction and other fertility treatment options.