A surgical infertility evaluation can help with diagnosis and treatment
Sometimes, a surgical infertility evaluation is part of the diagnostic process at The Fertility Center of Las Vegas. Depending on your needs, one of our Las Vegas fertility surgeons will either perform a laparoscopy or a hysteroscopy. Both procedures are minimally invasive outpatient ones, so you’ll have a faster recovery than patients experience with traditional forms of surgery.
When it comes to laparoscopy, your doctor will place a thin camera through the belly button. This procedure can help diagnose and treat endometriosis, cysts, scar tissue (adhesions) and certain types of fibroids. As for hysteroscopy, your doctor will place a thin camera into the vagina to see inside the uterus. The purpose of this procedure is to diagnose and treat a uterine septum (tissue in the middle of the uterus), polyps, scar tissue and some types of fibroids.
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive form of surgical infertility evaluation
Our team typically recommends laparoscopy when patients have certain symptoms, conditions or medical findings.
- Severe cramping during periods
- Painful intercourse
- Pelvic pain that doesn’t respond to medication
- History of pelvic or abdominal surgery
- History of pelvic infection
- Abnormalities on physical examination, HSG or ultrasound
During a laparoscopy, your doctor will make two to three small incisions in the belly button and lower abdomen. The surgeon will then inflate the abdomen with carbon dioxide. Doing so allows the abdomen and pelvic organs to separate from one another. Your doctor will then insert a thin camera through the belly button incision. This camera allows your surgeon to see the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and surrounding tissues.
If your surgeon finds certain issues during this type of surgical infertility evaluation, he or she can treat them at the same time. For example, your doctor can remove certain types of ovarian cysts as well as treat endometriosis and scar tissue.
A laparoscopic procedure typically takes one to two hours, and our Las Vegas fertility surgeons will perform it on an outpatient basis. As a result, you can return home after you spend some time in the recovery room. Your doctor will send you home with pain medication and will likely recommend that you wait a few days before resuming your normal activities.
Hysteroscopy is another form of minimally invasive surgery for infertility
In the case of hysteroscopy, our Las Vegas fertility surgeons typically recommend it for patients with certain issues and findings.
- Spotting before the menstrual period
- Thin mid-cycle uterine lining
- History of IVF failure, despite good quality embryos and normal stimulation
- Intrauterine abnormality found on ultrasound or with HSG
Like a laparoscopy, a hysteroscopy involves a thin camera. However, this minimally invasive procedure is unique because it doesn’t require incisions. Instead, your surgeon will place a camera through the vagina to visualize the inside of the uterus. Your doctor will also place a small amount of fluid into the uterus to provide a clearer view of it. Your doctor may complete this procedure under anesthesia, but in some cases it can even be completed gently while you are awake for even quicker recovery.
During a hysteroscopy, your doctor can diagnose certain issues as well as remove fibroids, polyps and scar tissue. He or she can also treat a uterine septum during this procedure.
After this type of surgical infertility evaluation, you will spend some time in the recovery area. Most patients make a full recovery within 24 to 48 hours.
Reach out to get the right infertility diagnosis and treatment
Our Las Vegas fertility surgeons are experts in diagnosing and treating the complex causes of infertility. They use the latest diagnostic tools to reach an accurate diagnosis and then use advanced, proven treatments to help their patients become parents.
Contact us if you would like to schedule an appointment to learn more about how our team can help you on your path to parenthood.
