Modern endoscopic surgery offers a solution in many cases of infertility.
Endoscopic surgery in experienced hands, using special equipment (thin telescopes), is considered superior to open surgery:
- Adhesions formation is minimized
- Blood loss is reduced
- Aesthetic results are better
- Postoperative recovery is shorter (1 day)
Endoscopic operations are performed for diagnostic and operative purposes. Hysteroscopy is used to visualize the inside of the uterus (diagnostic hysteroscopy). The operation is performed through a thin telescope (hysteroscope), which is inserted through the cervix in order to visualize the uterine cavity. If it is needed, polyps and fibroids can be removed, adhesions can be cut and uterine deformities can be corrected (operative hysteroscopy).
Laparoscopy is applied in order to visualize the pelvic cavity and evaluate the pelvic organs, especially the uterus, tubes and ovaries (diagnostic laparoscopy). At the same time, fibroids or ovarian cysts can be removed, adhesions can be cut, a blocked tube can be removed and endometriotic spots can be cauterized by diathermy or laser (operative laparoscopy).
Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are often performed simultaneously, such as in cases where insemination or embryotransfer posed a difficulty or after repeated IVF failures.
Dr. Kapetanakis is a world-renowned laparo-endoscopic surgeon and the first to perform operative laparoscopy in Greece (1990).
