Gynecologic Surgery

Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for most conditions

A woman smiles while preparing food in her home, representing how surgery at Scripps for gynecologic conditions can help improve quality of life for women.

Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery for most conditions

Should you need surgery, our highly skilled gynecologic surgeons use the most advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive surgery and robot-assisted surgery, to minimize discomfort, reduce scarring and help you recover faster. In fact, Scripps hysterectomy patients are twice as likely to have minimally invasive surgery rather than a traditional open abdominal hysterectomy.


If you need surgery, your physician will discuss your options with you, and together you can make the best choice.

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Hysterectomy may be a treatment option for a number of pelvic conditions including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine tumors and other pelvic cancers. 


There are several types of hysterectomies; depending on your condition, your physician will recommend the most appropriate option for you. 

 

Minimally invasive robotic-assisted hysterectomy

Scripps surgeons use a surgical robot to assist in removing the uterus in a minimally invasive procedure. Scripps surgeons perform more minimally invasive hysterectomy procedures than anyone else in the region. 


Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH)

Using minimally invasive surgery techniques, the surgeon removes the uterus through small incisions in the abdomen. In some cases, only a single incision is required.


Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH)

In this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon removes the top portion of the uterus laparoscopically but leaves the cervix in place.


Abdominal hysterectomy 

An incision is made across the lower abdomen so the uterus can be removed.

Surgery for ovarian cysts, fibroids and endometriosis

Ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, non-cancerous tumors and other gynecologic needs may be surgically treated without hysterectomy. Many women are able to have less-invasive surgeries and, in some cases, preserve fertility.


Additional surgical options include:


  • Myomectomy surgery to remove uterine fibroids without removing the uterus
  • Endometrial ablation using a heat source such as a laser to burn away endometrial cells that have implanted outside of the uterus 
  • Endometriosis resection to surgically remove endometrial cells that have implanted outside of the uterus
  • Removal of ovarian cysts or a complete oophorectomy to remove the ovaries
  • Surgery to treat an ectopic pregnancy
  • Tumorectomy and robot-assisted tumorectomies to remove benign and cancerous tumors from the reproductive organs
  • Surgery and minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery options to correct pelvic prolapse, a condition where one or more of the organs in the pelvis have shifted from their normal position

Tubal ligation and tubal ligation reversal

In addition, many Scripps OB-GYNs perform tubal ligation (tube tying), a surgical procedure to close off the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy; a tubal ligation reversal can be performed to restore fertility.