Gynecologic Pelvic Surgery

Also known as:  ovarian cyst surgery, uterine reconstruction, vaginal surgery, adolescent gynecologic surgery, vaginal septum, imperforate hymen, Mayer-Rokitansky, didelphic uterus, vaginal atresia, Herlyn Werner Wunderlich syndrome, OHVIRA syndrome, teratoma, androgen insensitivity.

What is gynecologic pelvic surgery?

The pelvis is comprised of several bones that form the hips, the tailbone and connect the legs to the rest of your body. The pelvis contains the gynecologic organs of the female, including the vagina, the uterus, the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. Pelvic surgery may be required for several reasons, such as ovarian cysts and tumors, congenital malformations of the uterus and vagina or absence of these organs.

What happens during the procedure?

The exact nature of pelvic surgery will differ depending on the nature of the problem with the gynecologic organs.  Many of these procedures may be done with minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy), procedures that leave minimal scarring.  Some can be done via the vagina, for example excision of septums which obstruct the vagina and prevent the exit of menstrual blood.
 

Is any special preparation needed?

Several imaging tests are often required prior to pelvic surgery. Sometimes genetic testing and blood tests are also required.  The patient may need to avoid food, drink and certain medications before the procedure.
 

What are the risk factors?

Infection, pain, bleeding, or damage to surrounding organs and tissues are potential risks of pelvic surgery. Your surgeon will explain the issues associated with your specific operation during the pre-operative visits.
 

What is recovery like?

Many of these procedures, particularly the laparoscopic ones and the ones done vaginally, require no hospital stay, that is, they are done as out-patient procedures with return to normal activities almost immediately.  The more complex the operation, the longer the stay will be and the longer the recovery period.

Reviewed by: Cathy Anne Burnweit, MD

This page was last updated on: January 19, 2022 10:19 AM