Reproductive Surgery
Specialist Reproductive Surgery for Fertility Care
Additional postgraduate fellowship training in minimally invasive and reproductive surgery means you have access to the full range of fertility management options and get continuity of care from assessment to treatment.
Not all gynaecologists and fertility specialists are trained in reproductive surgery. My advanced surgical fellowships mean that I perform all my own surgeries, including advanced laparoscopy and the highly specialised office (awake) hysteroscopy.
Your go-to clinic for reproductive surgery in Sydney
Reproductive surgery are procedures on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus. These are usually minimally-invasive (keyhole) surgeries, aiming to identify and surgically correct anything that is preventing you from falling pregnant.
This includes:
Checking for any abnormalities of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes
Testing that your fallopian tubes are open and functioning
Removing any endometriosis spots and nodules
Removing scar tissue (adhesions) from your pelvic organs
The benefit of a reproductive surgeon is I’m trained to surgically correct any problems with as little damage to your fertility as possible
Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure performed through small holes on your belly. This is also known as keyhole surgery. Laparoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat fertility problems as well as chronic pelvic pain.
Laparoscopy is performed under general anaesthesia. Tiny keyhole incisions are made in your belly, allowing me to insert the necessary tools, including a laparoscope (a long, thin camera with a light) to examine your internal organs.
The minimally invasive nature of laparoscopy carries significant advantages over open surgery, known as a laparotomy, including faster recovery and less scarring.
Some of the more common procedures I perform are explained below.
Tubal ligation reversal
Tubal ligation involves cutting and tying your fallopian tubes as a form of female sterilisation, and is performed as a day procedure under general anaesthetic. However, the procedure can be reversed if you change your mind. Tubal ligation reversal is typically performed via laparoscopy to reconnect your tubes with tiny sutures.
Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscope is a long thin camera, which is inserted through your cervix to inspect the inside of your uterus. The hysteroscopy procedure can be diagnostic, allowing me to investigate causes of infertility, recurrent miscarriage, or abnormal bleeding patterns. Anything found can usually be dealt with at the same time, including polyps, adhesions, and septums.
A hysteroscopy may be performed under general anesthesia in hospital or while you’re awake in my rooms. This is a highly specialised hysteroscopy technique known as office (awake) hysteroscopy.
Laparotomy
A laparotomy is open surgery involving a large incision in your belly. It is performed under general anaesthesia, and you will typically need to stay overnight in the hospital for 2-3 days. Laparotomy may be required for conditions such as particularly large fibroids, where the keyhole laparoscopy may not be suitable.
Vasectomy reversal
A vasectomy is a form of male sterilisation that involves cutting the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm. Reversing a vasectomy is a day procedure performed under general anaesthesia. A small 1cm incision is made in your scrotum, and the two ends of the vas deferens are sutured back together. This microsurgical vasectomy technique comes with less pain and faster recovery.
FAQs
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Fertility treatment such as IVF may be able to overcome minor endometriosis, or problems with fallopian tubes such as tubal ligation (a sterilisation procedure to cut and tie the fallopian tubes). However, uterus problems (fibroids, polyps, scar tissue) usually can only be fixed with surgery if you want to conceive. For men who have had a vasectomy, we can consider a minor procedure to extract sperm directly from your testicles rather than reversal surgery.
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Neither of these options are necessarily better. I may recommend one over the other depending on your fertility factors, other medical reasons, your goals and family plans, and your personal preferences. We will explore all of these factors during your consultation.
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All surgeries on the reproductive system are best done with minimally invasive and microsurgical techniques. This means less pain, shorter hospital stay (often day surgery), and a quicker recovery. If you choose a surgeon with a background in both fertility and reproductive surgery such as myself, you will have the added benefit of fertility-sparing techniques that will also support your fertility.