Worldwide Educational Center For Gynecologic Surgery

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote the worldwide shared learning in minimally invasive surgical techniques to enhance the quality of life of our patients.

Patients

One Woman's Story

Maureen Reiss (actual name changed) is a 48-year old mother of two. About three years ago she began experiencing spotting before menstruation and menorrhagia (i.e. heavy flow) on its onset. Upon a visit to her gynecologist, she discovered that she was suffering from uterine fibroids. While the term fibroid may be common in medical vernacular, many women like Maureen may not quite know what they exactly are. Luckily Maureen has a doctor who went into detail as to what they are, and she went into even greater detail as to how they can be treated.

First and foremost let's get an explanation as to what uterine fibroids are. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors which grow from the muscle layers of the uterus. These growths normally appear in women of reproductive age. Statistics show that about 25% of white and 50% of black women will have fibroids in their lifetime. While in many cases fibroids are asymptomatic, symptoms such as bloating, backache, heavy menstrual flow, spotting and even infertility may occur. During pregnancy they may cause miscarriage and premature labor.

Treatment options are quite numerous as Maureen found out. However due to the size and number of the fibroids she was able to opt for minimally invasive out-patient treatment. Her first option was a laparoscopic myomectomy. This treatment requires a small incision near the navel. The physician then inserts a laparoscope into the abdomen and uses surgical instruments to remove the fibroids through additional small ( less than 1 inch) incisions. This type of treatment requires much less recovery time the ones requiring large incisions. Another treatment option is called a hysteroscopic myomectomy. The fibroid is removed by use of a resectoscope a endoscopic device that can use high frequency energy to cut tissue. Because these options are minimally invasive, they minimal  recovery time, reduce the risk of infection and scar formation, allow earlier return to usual activities, and involve less narcotics for postoperative recovery..

Maureen chose the hysterscopic myomectomy, and was extremely pleased with the results. And I am pleased to report that she has been fibroid-free for three years. Even more so, she was grateful for the minimally invasive treatment options afforded to her. And she is extremely grateful for the educational resources at SurgeryU, which she believes enhanced her awareness of available options in the world's latest medical advancements performed by leading international experts in minimally invasive surgical techniques.

By: Christina Devon Yates