Minimally Invasive Reproductive Surgery
Many conditions affecting fertility can be diagnosed and treated surgically. At PTA Fertility Centre, Dr Volschenk specialises in minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery, offering patients the benefits of smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery, and better cosmetic outcomes compared to traditional open surgery.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) uses a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny incisions in the abdomen. It allows direct visualisation of the pelvic organs and can be both diagnostic (to identify problems) and therapeutic (to treat them) in the same procedure.
Conditions treated laparoscopically:
- Endometriosis — excision and ablation of endometriotic lesions
- Ovarian cysts — removal of endometriomas, dermoid cysts, and other ovarian pathology
- Tubal disease — assessment of tubal patency, removal of hydrosalpinx
- Fibroids (myomectomy) — removal of subserosal and intramural fibroids
- Adhesions — division of pelvic adhesions causing pain or blocking tubes
- Ectopic pregnancy — surgical management when required
Hysteroscopy
Hysteroscopy involves inserting a thin camera through the cervix to examine the inside of the uterus. It is the gold standard for evaluating and treating intrauterine pathology.
Conditions treated hysteroscopically:
- Uterine polyps — removal of endometrial polyps
- Uterine septum — division of congenital uterine septa
- Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman's syndrome) — division of scar tissue
- Submucous fibroids — resection of fibroids bulging into the uterine cavity
- Abnormal uterine bleeding — investigation and treatment
Myomectomy
Myomectomy is the surgical removal of uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus. Depending on the size, number, and location of fibroids, this may be performed laparoscopically, hysteroscopically, or through a small abdominal incision (mini-laparotomy).
Diagnostic vs Therapeutic Surgery
Reproductive surgery often serves a dual purpose:
- Diagnostic: Confirming or ruling out conditions (e.g., verifying endometriosis, assessing tubal patency, evaluating the uterine cavity)
- Therapeutic: Treating the condition found during the same procedure (e.g., removing endometriosis, dividing adhesions, excising polyps)
Where possible, we combine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to minimise the number of anaesthetics and recovery periods you experience.