Women's Health

Gynecologic Surgery

Overview

At NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, experienced gynecologic surgeons from NewYork-Presbyterian & Weil Cornell Medicine provide leading-edge surgical care to women of all ages. Our gynecologic surgeons excel in fertility-protecting techniques, including laparoscopy and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, to treat gynecologic disorders such as pelvic pain, endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, and fibroids. We empower you with the information you need to make informed decisions to address your condition for optimal health and quality of life through every step of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

What is Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery?

Minimally invasive gynecological surgical techniques, including laparoscopy and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, are used to treat various gynecologic conditions. Compared to traditional open surgery, minimally invasive procedures involve one or a few small incisions rather than a single large incision. The advantages include:

• Less pain
• Less blood loss
• Less risk of infection
• Shorter hospitalizations
• Faster recovery
• Minimal scarring

Types of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Our gynecologic surgeons use a variety of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery techniques, including:

• Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscope (a slim, light-transmitting telescope) views and operates inside the uterus.
• Laparoscopy: A light-transmitting laparoscope (telescope) views inside the abdomen and pelvis and allows surgeons to perform procedures without making major incisions.
• Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery: Provides the surgeon with greater dexterity and enhanced, high-resolution 3D imaging to perform delicate procedures with greater control and precision.
• Vaginal access minimally invasive surgery: Uses the vaginal opening to access organs in the pelvic cavity and requires no abdominal incisions.

Gynecologic Conditions We Treat

At NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, our gynecologic surgeons have subspecialty training in minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat gynecologic conditions such as:

• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Pelvic adhesions
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Cervical disorders
• Stress urinary incontinence
• Congenital (Mullerian) anomalies
• Harvesting of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes for gynecologic cancer
• Surgery for gynecologic cancers (i.e.: uterine, cervical, ovarian)

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Procedures We Offer

Our expert gynecologic surgeons perform various procedures using minimally invasive techniques. Many surgeries, including hysterectomies and vaginal prolapse repair, can be done with tiny incisions, allowing faster and less painful recovery.

Laparoscopic and robot-assisted approaches

• Biopsies: Taking samples of tissue for diagnostic purposes
• Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus through tiny incisions
• Myomectomy: Removal of fibroids for patients who desire to retain their uterus for childbearing. When the fibroids involve the uterus’ cavity, they can sometimes be removed through hysteroscopy without incisions.
• Salpingo-oophorectomy: Removal of the ovaries or fallopian tubes through small incisions performed to treat ovarian cysts and masses or as part of treatment for pelvic pain caused by severe endometriosis or inflammatory disease.
• Prolapse repair: Laparoscopic vault suspension or vaginal approaches attach the vagina to the strong ligaments attached to the sacrum using a variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Ovarian cystectomy: Removal of ovarian cysts while leaving the ovaries in place • Excision of endometriosis: Removal of uterine-like tissue growing outside of the uterus
• Ultrasound-guided laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation: Uses ultrasound to target fibroids and heat to shrink individual fibroids

Vaginal approaches

• Vaginal hysterectomy: In some cases, a hysterectomy can be performed through the vagina with no abdominal incisions
• Vaginal prolapse repair: Disorders of pelvic support may be treated vaginally in some patients
• Ultrasound-guided transvaginal radiofrequency ablation: Uses heat to target and shrink fibroids without harming the uterus

Our Approach to Care

One of our greatest assets is the compassionate care delivered every day by our dedicated physicians and staff. We view each patient as a whole person with emotional, ethical, spiritual, and physical needs.

We accurately and efficiently diagnose each patient’s condition and develop a targeted treatment plan that considers the patient’s symptoms, goals, and reproductive plans. We offer a variety of innovative, state-of-the-art approaches, including minimally invasive surgical procedures and fertility-protecting treatments. We empower the patient with the information needed to make informed decisions through every step of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Our goal is to offer the best treatment through the least invasive method. We are constantly exploring innovative surgical techniques. While we are often referred to as minimally invasive gynecologic surgery specialists, we have become specialists in advanced pelvic surgery.

Our Gynecologic Experts

At NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, our gynecologic surgeons collaborate with a vast network of specialists from a wide range of disciplines, including reproductive endocrinology and infertility and maternal-fetal medicine, to provide the best health care with superb outcomes for the most complicated cases. We also work closely with pain management and integrative medicine specialists to manage the many complex symptoms of gynecologic conditions that affect a patient’s health and well-being.

Why Choose Us

Experts in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Our gynecologic surgeons have unmatched expertise in minimally invasive approaches for treating the most complex and challenging gynecologic conditions. These include the ever-growing application of robotics in fertility-sparing and fertility-enhancing surgery.

Robotic-assisted surgery is used in procedures such as laparoscopic hysterectomy, myomectomy (fibroid removal) for uterine preservation, and correcting vaginal prolapse. It enables the surgeon to perform minimally invasive surgery with greater agility, precision, and control.

Convenient Locations

In addition to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, women can receive care at NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Brooklyn’s offices in Brooklyn, close to home