Minimally Invasive Surgery Center for Women
The Minimally Invasive Surgery Center for Women at Indiana University Health West offers patients the opportunity to explore the latest in gynecological surgery options that can significantly reduce hospitalization and recovery time, minimize and - in some cases - nearly eliminate scarring and, perhaps most importantly, return the patient to the quality of life she deserves.
Living with pain and discomfort, excessive monthly bleeding and other lifestyle-altering symptoms doesn't have to be "just a part of getting older." Neither does the prospect of major abdominal surgery typically associated with a traditional hysterectomy and other surgical solutions to these symptoms.
What is "Minimally Invasive Surgery?"
The term "minimally invasive" refers to surgical techniques that utilize instruments such as a laparoscope to perform complex procedures. A laparoscope, which includes a camera and small hand-type instruments, gives the surgeon "eyes" and "hands" inside the body, without making major, open incisions. The laparoscopic instruments are inserted through small incisions in the body, which heal much faster and leave far less noticeable scars.
The latest advance in minimally invasive surgery is a technique called the Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery, or SILS. The SILS technique allows the surgeon to perform a hysterectomy through a single, thumb-size incision in the belly button.
A traditional, inpatient abdominal hysterectomy results in a six to eight week-long recovery period. A SILS patient may be back to most of her normal activities in about one week. The SILS procedure eliminates the impact to the patient's abdominal core muscles, contributing to the markedly reduced recovery time.
IU Health West Hospital's surgeons have pioneered this technique for hysterectomy patients in Indiana, and join just 22 surgeons nationwide currently performing this ground-breaking technique.
The IU Health West Hospital Difference: The Physician Team
Led by Gregory Raff, MD, the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center for Women at IU Health West is a training site for surgeons from across the region and the nation. Dr. Raff is a pioneer in the field of minimally invasive gynecological surgery, and is the first physician in Indiana to perform hysterectomies via the Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) technique. Board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Raff also serves as the Director of the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Minimally Invasive Surgery Program. He is an assistant professor with IUSM, and conducts regular physician training for doctors from across the country at IU Health West Hospital.
Every OB/GYN practice affiliated with IU Health West Hospital has at least one physician participating in this remarkable program, which means current IU Health West Hospital patients don't have to visit an unfamiliar practice to receive this state-of-the-art treatment. For patients who are new to IU Health West Hospital, our team can help you connect with the physician who's right for you.
Those physicians include:
Michael Allen, MD
Avon Women's Health
Edmund Gomez, MD
Women's Health Partnership West
Robert Grondahl, MD
American Health Network
Jon Hathaway, MD
IU Women's Healthcare
Gregory Raff, MD
IU Women's Healthcare
Travis Richardson, MD
American Health Network
The Patient Experience
Surgical services at IU Health West is consistently among the nation's best in patients' willingness to recommend the hospital to their loved ones, as well as their overall rating of care. Our patient perception surveys are administered by NRC+Picker, which compares our results to those from more than 1200 hospitals across the country.
Most of our patients will complete their visit to the hospital as an outpatient, meaning they won't spend the night. The surgical services team provides comprehensive patient education and discharge instructions, so that patients go home after surgery confident in their ability to recover well, with minimal pain.
Key Procedures
The following key procedures are offered through the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center for Women at IU Health West
Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy (LSH)
LSH is a partial hysterectomy that preserves the cervix - and often the ovaries - removing only the uterus. The benefit of this is the body's ability to avoid vaginal dryness, the most common complaint after other hysterectomies. Because this procedure is laparoscopic, recovery is significantly faster and less painful than recovery from traditional surgery.
Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH)
TLH involves removing the uterus by operating only through the laparoscopes in the abdomen, starting at the top of the uterus. The uterus is disconnected using long-thin instruments through small incisions. Once disconnected, all tissue is removed through the vagina or through the tiny, half-inch abdominal incisions. Scarring is minimal - with abdominal scarring consisting of just two to four tiny one-half inch incisions, one inside the belly button one just above the pubic bone and one just to the middle side of the front of each hip bone.
Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS)
The latest advance in minimally invasive surgery, the SILS technique allows the surgeon to perform a hysterectomy through a single, thumb-size incision in the belly button. A traditional, inpatient abdominal hysterectomy results in a six to eight week-long recovery period. A SILS patient may be back to most of her normal activities in about one week. The SILS procedure eliminates the impact to the patient's abdominal core muscles, contributing to the markedly reduced recovery time.
Questions to Ask Your Physician
Having all the information you need when you are considering surgery is incredibly important. You should always feel comfortable enough with your physician to ask any questions you have---and to ask again if you don't understand the answer. You should also always feel comfortable and confident enough to ask about a second opinion if you feel there may be other options for you.
Here are some questions to get you started:
What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the uterus. One in three women has had a hysterectomy by age 60, and it is the second most common major surgery among women of childbearing age. A partial removal of the uterus is called a "subtotal" or "supracervical" hysterectomy, which involves removing the upper part of the uterus, but leaving the cervix in place.
What problems can a hysterectomy treat?
Many lifestyle-altering conditions can be treated with a hysterectomy, including:
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic support problems
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Cancer
Regardless of the surgical approach used, a hysterectomy is still a significant surgical procedure, and patients need to follow their physician's instructions to maximize their recovery.
What are the risks?
While the risks associated with hysterectomy are among the lowest for any major surgery, problems can occur, including bleeding during or after surgery; blood clots in the veins or lungs; bowel blockage; early menopause (if the ovaries are also removed); infection; reaction to anesthesia; and in very rare instances, death.
How long will recovery take?
Many factors can impact recovery time, including the patient's general health status prior to surgery, the surgical technique selected to treat the patient's symptoms, and the patient's adherence to post-operative instructions and limitations. Recovery time for abdominal hysterectomy is typically 6 to 8 weeks. Recovery time for most minimally invasive techniques is typically 2-3 weeks.
The kinds of limitations a physician will recommend include not lifting heavy objects (things like heavy laundry baskets or boxes) and not inserting anything into the vagina, such as a tampon, douche or having sexual intercourse. The patient's physician will go over their individual recovery instructions in detail before and after surgery.
What if my physician hasn't talked with me about minimally invasive options?
Not all physicians are trained in the most advanced minimally invasive techniques, and others choose to perform abdominal hysterectomies only. A patient should not worry about upsetting or offending their physician by inquiring about other options, or seeking a second opinion. Physicians understand that the decision to have surgery is big and can be stressful, and want only what is best for their patient. Making an informed decision should not affect that professional relationship in any way.