Gynecologic Surgery

Rely on Essentia Health gynecologic surgeons to perform your procedure and help you feel better.

Expert Diagnostic Services for Women

Your doctor may schedule a gynecologic procedure to check your reproductive health or diagnose a condition. These tests include:

  • Cervical or endometrial biopsy – Removes tissue from your cervix or uterus for testing
  • Colposcopy – Looks at your cervix and vagina
  • Cystometrogram – Evaluates your bladder function
  • Hysteroscopy – Uses a thin tube called a hysteroscope to examine your uterus and cervix

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

When standard treatments don’t help your gynecologic condition, your doctor may recommend surgery. We’ll explain your surgical options and recommend minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedures, whenever possible. That means you’ll experience less pain and scarring and a quicker recovery.

Robotic Surgical Solutions

Watch the video - Medical Insight: Robotic Surgical Solutions - Essentia Health

View video transcript Listen to audio description (MP3)

Medical Insight: Robotic Surgical Solutions - Essentia Health Video Transcript

(DESCRIPTION)
The Essentia Health logo appears, consisting of three leaves in a circle. Text, Essentia Health Medical Insight

(SPEECH)
TRACEY BRIGGS: One of the biggest drawbacks to having surgery is the time it takes to recover, with days spent away from work and normal daily activities. But high tech robotic surgery is helping patients recover faster. Dr. Stephanie Gefroh-Ellison, an OBGYN at Essentia Health in Fargo, uses robotic surgery for many procedures, including hysterectomy, cystectomies, and prolapses. STEPHANIE GEFROH-ELLISON: The benefit is really for those patients that may have required an open surgery, so a large abdominal incision, where you can now offer them minimally invasive options.

(DESCRIPTION)
Computer image

(SPEECH)
TRACEY BRIGGS: Dr. Gefroh-Ellison says like traditional laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery requires a small incision in the belly button and another one on either side. Then the surgeon sets up three to four robotic arms, one which holds a camera.

(DESCRIPTION)
Man looks into console. A robotic system appears next to him.

(SPEECH)
STEPHANIE GEFROH-ELLISON: Once you have everything connected, then the surgeon can step away and actually scrub out and go to the console, which is in the same room. TRACEY BRIGGS: Dr. Gefroh-Ellison says some of her patients will express concern that she's not actually doing the surgery

(DESCRIPTION)
The robotic arms in action

(SPEECH)
since the term robotics can be misleading. STEPHANIE GEFROH-ELLISON: It's never that simple where you can just program do a hysterectomy, and walk away. You still have to have the skill set. So you have to be very proficient at laparoscopy before you would become proficient at robotics. TRACEY BRIGGS: She says

(DESCRIPTION)
Overhead view of the robotic tools

(SPEECH)
one of the prime benefits of robotics is that it gives the surgeon a greater range of motion. STEPHANIE GEFROH-ELLISON: You can definitely do a 360 degree turn and even further if you needed to. So what that translates to is you're able to get deep down into the pelvis, into little nooks and crannies very easily and safely. TRACEY BRIGGS: Dr. Gefroh-Ellison explains that most everyone can be a candidate for robotic surgery. And the risks are about the same as they'd be for any laparoscopic surgery. And they're usually pretty minimal. Most of the time, you're going to recover faster and get back to your life sooner. With this Essentia Health Medical Insight, I'm Tracy Briggs.

(DESCRIPTION)
Text and logo, Essentia Health Medical insight

Gynecologic Surgical Treatments

Turn to us for gynecologic surgery to help treat cancer, endometriosis, infertility, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, fibroids, and more. Choose the skilled surgeons at Essentia for full gynecologic surgical services:

  • Dilatation and curettage (D&C) – Opens the cervix to remove tissue in your uterus
  • Endometrial ablation – Removes the lining of your uterus
  • *Hysterectomy – Removes your uterus
  • Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) – Takes abnormal tissue out of your cervix
  • Myomectomy – Removes fibroids from your uterus
  • Pelvic mass removal – Takes out a growth or tumor in your pelvis
  • Transvaginal or transobturator tape – Supports your urethra with mesh tape

Endometrial Ablation

Relieve your abnormal or heavy vaginal bleeding with an endometrial ablation procedure. This procedure doesn’t require an incision. At some Essentia locations you’ll find office-based ablation treatments, such as:

  • NovaSure® – Uses electric current to remove the lining of your uterus
  • Hydrothermal – Circulates heated fluid inside your uterus to remove the lining
  • Rollerball ablation – Destroys the lining of the uterus using a ball-shaped electrode

Permanent Birth Control

Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent pregnancy permanently. Ask about procedures such as:

  • *Tubal ligation – Surgery to tie or cut the fallopian tubes

* Elective reproductive procedures are not performed at our Catholic-sponsored hospitals. Visit our Catholic facilities page for a list of these locations.

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