Surgical Procedures

Before You Have Surgery

Commonly Performed Surgical Procedures

Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

Da Vinci Robotic Hysterectomy

Office Based Surgical Procedures

In an effort to optimize your surgical experience, the gynecologic surgeons of Advocare Burlington County Obstetrics & Gynecology continuously strive to be on the cutting edge of technology and, through continuing education, advance their extensive surgical skills. Our highly experienced surgeons perform a wide variety of surgical procedures, including those that can be performed in the office or surgicenter, such as vulvar biopsies, hysteroscopy, and laparoscopic sterilization; and more complex procedures that are performed under general anesthesia in the hospital setting, including advanced laparoscopic procedures, pelvic reconstruction, and hysterectomy, including robotic hysterectomy. We perform surgical procedures at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, Virtua Memorial Hospital, and Memorial Ambulatory Surgical Center. These facilities have experienced anesthesiologists and well-trained staff to ensure that you have a safe and comfortable experience in a caring environment.

We offer these recommendations to consider before you are admitted to the hospital in order to make your transition from the hospital to home as smooth as possible:

• Take steps to prepare your home for your return from the hospital and your subsequent recovery.
• Have plenty of pillows. Carry some in your car for the trip home from the hospital.
• Try to make arrangements so that you will be able to get in and out of your bed easily.
• Realize that walking up and down stairs is acceptable but should be limited to no more than one to two times a day, if possible, the first few days after surgery, so prepare accordingly.
• If you can, make arrangements to have someone assist you in the first few days after surgery.

Prepare your refrigerator and make sure it is stocked with basic needs:

• Have plenty of fluids on hand so that you can keep yourself well-hydrated.
• Choose foods that can easily be prepared and eat a well-balanced diet including pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, chicken, beef, fish, and pork. Eating fruits, vegetables and salads adds fiber to your diet and can be helpful in moving your bowels and avoiding constipation. Spicy foods should be avoided during the first few days after surgery, but can be resumed with the return of normal bowel habits, so shop accordingly.
• Any foods that gave you gas prior to surgery should be avoided, as should carbonated beverages (soda).

• Laparoscopy
• Dilation and Curettage
• Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure
• Endometrial Ablation
• Removal of Fibroids (Myomectomy)
• Correction of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Pelvic Support Problems
• Correction of Urinary Incontinence (Loss of Urine)
• Surgery for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain
• Advanced Hysteroscopy
• Surgery for Ovarian Cyst/Masses
• Sterilization Procedures for Women
• Hysterectomy - abdominal/vaginal/laparoscopic
• Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy
• Robotic Hysterectomy

To learn more about any of the procedures listed above, please visit the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or ask us at your next visit.

Gynecologic surgeons were pioneers in developing laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique that uses an electronic device called a laparoscope to allow surgeons to see inside patients and perform procedures without making large incisions.

In a laparoscopic procedure, a small incision is made in the navel and a long, thin tube with a television camera and a light on the end is inserted so the physician can see the organs inside. If problems such as endometriosis, cysts or scar tissue are found, they may be treated with special instruments through similarly small (~1/4 inch) incisions. Laparoscopic techniques can be used in many situations and in some instances can be used to perform hysterectomy.

The da Vinci Robotic System makes a few small incisions- similar to traditional laparoscopy. This system features a magnified, three dimensional, high definition vision system and special instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist. In select cases, the da Vinci technology, offers several potential benefits compared to open surgery and traditional laparoscopic surgery. These include less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, minimal scarring, lower conversion rate to open surgery, and less need for narcotic pain medicine. Though it is often called a “robot,” da Vinci cannot act on its own. Surgery is performed entirely by the doctor, who controls the da Vinci System. His or her hand movements are converted to smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. This allows the doctor to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity, and control.