Laser Surgery
There are several reproductive health problems whose treatment may require surgery. Laser surgery is a type of surgical procedure that makes use of beams of light instead of surgical instruments to carry out the procedures. In the recent past, laser technology has been proven an effective way of carrying out surgical procedures when dealing with gynecological issues. The use of lasers as part of modern technology has been seen to produce more positive outcomes in surgeries. However, the lasers will need qualified personnel to operate and bring out the best result for your health. If you are in Los Angeles, get in touch with Gyn LA for laser specialized surgical procedures for all your gynecological problems, including tumor removal and shrinking of uterine growths.
Overview of Laser Surgery in Gynecology
Laser surgery is a procedure that uses beams of light to perform medical procedures. Over the years, laser surgery has been effective in performing gynecological operations. Conditions that get corrected with this surgery include the removal of fibroids and tumors. The beams of light in the lasers are directed to different parts of the skin, bypassing the layer and cutting down the tumors.
Some of the indications that could require laser surgery include:
- Prevention of excessive blood loss by sealing small blood vessels. This could be done after an invasive surgery in the uterus where bleeding is a side effect of the procedure.
- Removal of tumors. Some of the tumors that develop in different parts of the female reproductive system, such as fibroids, can be removed using laser surgery. Using this technology to get rid of fibroids ensures fewer side effects from the surgery.
- Laser surgery is used to seal lymph vessels. When undergoing a surgical procedure to remove a tumor, laser technology could be used to seal the lymph vessels. This will help decrease the swelling and minimize the spread of the problem.
- The laser is used for the removal of genital warts and scars in your reproductive system. Laser surgery can be used to get rid of genital wart, which is a very uncomfortable condition. Also, scars that develop in the uterus as a result of other surgeries can get removed using laser surgery.
Different types of lasers can be applied for surgical procedures for gynecological problems. Each of the lasers works differently to deliver the best outcome for specific procedures. Also, laser surgery could be administered intermittently or continuously, depending on your symptoms and reaction to the surgery.
Carbon dioxide laser, which is the most commonly used in gynecological surgery, operates in two different mechanisms. One of the models uses a special microscope through which the laser beam destroys small lesions in your genital area. The laser beams cut through the tissues and layers depending on the desired treatment and outcome of the procedure. Laser surgery could be done in an outpatient setting since the operations are not invasive. However, it is essential to ensure that your surgery is done by highly qualified personnel. When operated by inexperienced clinicians, there could be an invasion of the carcinoma, resulting in detrimental effects.
Applications of Laser Surgery
Laser surgery has been effective in the following gynecologic treatment procedures:
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that uses small incisions to the abdomen to treat uterine complications. The doctor uses a camera to check the condition of your uterus, identify the problem and perform the treatment. The doctor’s vision is guided by tubes that get inserted in the small incisions on your pelvic area.
In the recent past, laser technology has proven as an effective way to perform abdominal laparoscopic procedures. The use of laser surgery is advantageous in that there is minimal lateral damage to your organs. Also, the depth of cuts made on your skin gets controlled depending on the procedure and expected result. Therefore, laser laparoscopy is suitable for procedures that get performed close to the vital organs like the bladder and ureter.
Laser surgery has proven effective in treating conditions such as:
- Endometriosis is a painful disorder characterized by the growth of tissues outside the uterus. These tissues are often similar to the healthy ones that line your uterus. Carbon dioxide lasers are used in this procedure to ensure that removal of the endometriosis is precise and accurate. Also, the lasers rarely cause damage to the healthy tissues; thus, fewer complications are likely to arise from the procedure.
- Removal of adhesions. Adhesions are scars that could develop from previous infections or invasive surgeries. Since the lasers can perform excision and coagulation stimulation, it is a suitable way to get rid of the adhesions. Also, the ability to remove the unwanted tissues while limiting trauma to the peripheral tissues makes it an excellent surgical method for fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a close examination done through your cervix and vulva to identify signs of disease. This procedure is often recommended for individuals whose Pap smear results indicate a problem. Colposcopy allows the doctor to take out tissues that could be used in the lab.
For reproductive tissue management, carbon dioxide lasers could be used to perform the surgery. The lasers have additional scanning capabilities that make it easy for the doctor to seek the tissues they are cutting. Laser colposcopy is a method is a procedure used to diagnose:
- Uterine inflammation
- Precancerous changes that occur in the cervical and vagina tissues get detected during colposcopy.
- Genital warts
- Changes in your vulva that indicate an onset of cancer or growth of other masses get detected.
The laser systems are designed with gynecological accessories that allow for the differentiation of tissues for treatment. The use of lasers to perform surgeries requires a lot of expertise. Therefore, you need to consult a competent gynecologist for the best possible outcome.
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to check into your uterus to diagnose causes of abnormal bleeding and pain. The process could either be diagnostic or operative, depending on your symptoms and targeted outcome. After diagnosis, operative hysteroscopy is used to treat the problems that were identified. The procedures of diagnosing and treatment get performed together to avoid return for a second surgery.
Hysteroscopy is one of the gynecologic procedures that use the laser system. The machine is equipped with flexible fiber, which gets passed through the hysteroscopy. Laser hysteroscopy surgery could be used in the treatment of endocrine surgical procedures, including:
- Uterine adhesions are scar tissues that form in the uterus and could be a contributing factor to excessive menstrual flow and infertility. Laser surgery used to perform hysteroscopy helps the doctor locate and get rid of the scars.
- Abnormal bleeding. Abnormal menstrual bleeding is one of the most common complications affecting women. Hysteroscopy helps identify the cause of bleeding. Through endometrial ablation, the hysteroscopy destroys the uterine lining to treat the bleeding.
- Removal of fibroids and polyps. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. Sometimes these growths cause abnormal bleeding and pain during menstrual periods. The laser-driven hysteroscopy is used by doctors to remove these masses.
Compared to an abdominal surgery approach, laser technology for hysteroscopy works at a higher speed and ensures less bleeding and scarring of the uterus.
Since laser surgery is used in the treatment of different gynecologic conditions, you will get detailed instructions on how to prepare for the operation. Your doctor will explain the types of medication and diets that could affect the surgery outcome. However, in some conditions, tests to determine your general health status may be accrued out before the surgery is booked.
Also, how you have responded to anesthesia and other treatment for the particular condition may be a determining factor in whether or not you are fit for laser surgery. When the laser is used to destroy tumors or growths in your uterus, your expected outcome and future fertility goals play a role in determining the extent of the surgery.
Advantages of Using Laser Surgery Over Other Types of Surgery
Use of lasers to perform gynecological procedures has been seen to have numerous advantages over the traditional methods, including:
- Maintenance of healthy tissues. Compared to other forms of surgery, laser surgery tends to preserve more healthy tissues by removing only the affected part.
- Preservation of fertility. Loss of fertility is one of the surgical outcomes that most individuals fear. Fortunately, the use of lasers helps ensure that you retain your potency after the procedures.
- Lower rate of disease recurrence. Laser surgery uses beams of light to cut down growths and tumors from the uterus. When these beams are used, the operation is precise, and the risk of recurrence is lower.
- Minimal scars. Less scarring results from laser surgery.
- A low probability of excessive bleeding after the procedure is noticed. Bleeding after surgical procedures done in the reproductive organs is common. However, since laser surgery is less invasive, there isn’t much bleeding.
Although most lase surgeries produce favorable outcomes, qualified and experienced physicians are needed to carry out the procedures. A non-physician who wants to perform laser surgery requires proper training and licensing to ensure no mistakes happen during the procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions on Laser Surgery for Gynecological Procedures
Laser surgery can be used in numerous types of gynecological procedures to treat complications in reproductive health. The method is less invasive, and thus the outcomes have less harmful side effects. The following are some of the frequently asked questions about laser surgery in the treatment of gynecologic complications:
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Can Laser Surgery be used to Treat Vaginal Dryness?
Vaginal dryness is a condition that comes to women as they approach menopause. This is because the protection provided by estrogen during childbearing years reduces. The mucosal lining of the vagina wall decreases, causing it to become dry and uncomfortable. When the condition arises, a woman's sexual life is significantly affected. The most common treatment for this condition is estrogen therapy, whose prolonged use increases the risk of breast cancer.
Fortunately, laser sessions from your gynecologist can help resolve the vaginal dryness. Laser surgery aids in the restoration and rejuvenation of the vaginal mucosa. With regular sessions of the laser treatment, the thickness and moisture holding ability get restored. However, you need to get treated by a skilled doctor for maximum effectiveness.
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Is Laser Surgery Painful?
Contrary to what many people believe, laser surgery does not cause unbearable pain. In most cases, laser surgery is painless as a result of full effect from anesthesia. Laser surgery is often a minimally invasive procedure. You may feel a slight pressure on the part where the operation will be carried out.
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Does Laser Surgery Cause Excessive Bleeding?
The use of lasers ensures that the surgeries are as less invasive as possible. This will help reduce the possibility of bleeding and complications that come with it. Also, laser treatment seals the vessels where tumors and fibroids are removed to avoid blood loss during and after the procedures.
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Can Laser Surgery Get Rid of Uterine Fibroids?
Several treatments could be used to suppress the detrimental symptoms that are associated with these growths. However, surgical removal could be a long-lasting way of relieving the conditions if you hope to maintain your fertility after removal of fibroids and laser surgery. This type of surgery eliminates the destructive tumors and masses while preserving the integrity of your uterus. Most women who have undergone laser surgery for treatment of the fibroids have reported lesser complications and lighter bleeding.
Find a Competent Professional Gynecologist Near Me
In gynecology, laser surgery has been successfully used to treat a wide range of female genital diseases. The use of the lasers helps in obtaining many beneficial surgery outcomes compared to open surgery and other traditional methods. Although laser surgery is known to produce less adverse complications, competent and skilled personnel are required to perform the procedure. If you want to get laser treatment for the best results in Los Angeles, you can get in touch with us at Gyn LA at 310-375-8446.