What Is Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery?
Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, or MIGS, is an alternative to open surgery for many conditions.
An open surgery is performed through a large incision in your belly. MIGS is performed through a few small incisions, or with no incisions at all.
Compared to open surgery, minimally invasive surgery can reduce pain and speed up recovery. You can often go home the same day, or the day after your surgery. Minimally invasive procedures also cause less scarring.
MIGS can treat many common and complex conditions affecting your uterus, ovaries and other pelvic organs.
Rush offers minimally invasive gynecologic surgery in Chicago and the surrounding area. The minimally invasive gynecologic surgery division is a specialized team of expert surgeons providing the latest advanced treatments for your condition.
Meet our minimally invasive gynecologic surgery team
Conditions We Treat with MIGS
- Uterine fibroids: These are noncancerous growths in your uterus. They are often painful and can cause heavy or irregular bleeding.
- Abnormal uterine bleeding: Fibroids and other growths can cause heavy periods or bleeding outside of your normal menstrual cycle.
- Adenomyosis: Endometrium is the tissue lining your uterus. If you have adenomyosis, this tissue grows into the muscle lining your uterus. This can cause pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Endometriosis: If you have endometriosis, endometrium tissue grows outside of your uterus. This can cause pain and infertility.
- Pelvic pain: Pelvic pain can have many causes. In some cases, surgery may help.
- Ovarian cysts: These are common growths on your ovaries. Often, they cause no symptoms. Large cysts may cause pain and are more likely to rupture.
- Patients with complex medical and surgical history: If you have a complex condition or previous gynecologic surgeries, Rush surgeons can provide minimally invasive options.
Types of Minimally Invasive Procedures
There are several types of minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries:
- Laparoscopic surgery: Laparoscopic procedures are performed through one or more small incisions in your belly. Your surgeon will place a small camera, light and other instruments through the incision. This allows them to see your pelvic organs and remove any growths or lesions causing pain. This technique is often used to treat endometriosis, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
- Robotic surgery: Rush providers are experts in robot-assisted surgery. Your surgeon will control the movements of robotic arms. This allows more precise movements with less bleeding and scarring.
Surgeons at Rush perform most hysterectomies, a surgery to remove the uterus, robotically. Surgeons can also perform myomectomy, a surgery to remove uterine fibroids, robotically. - Vaginal surgery: This is an effective and less invasive option than traditional methods. Surgeons can perform hysterectomy and other procedures through the vagina, requiring no abdominal incisions.
- Hysteroscopy: This procedure is used to diagnose and treat conditions in your uterus. Your doctor will insert a lighted scope through your vagina and cervix to view your uterus. They can also insert surgical instruments through the hysteroscope to remove polyps, fibroids or adhesions.
- Radiofrequency ablation: This procedure shrinks uterine fibroids using heat.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
- Smaller incisions, or no incisions at all
- Faster recovery time
- Shorter hospital stays
- Minimal scarring
- Lower risk of complications and infection
- Faster return to work and normal activities
Is Minimally Invasive Surgery Right for Me?
Minimally invasive surgery can treat many conditions, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts and pelvic pain.
Rush providers treat many reproductive and pelvic conditions without surgery. If you do need surgery, you may choose MIGS to have less scarring and a shorter recovery time.
Every patient is different, and minimally invasive surgery may not be right for you. Make an appointment with a Rush gynecologist to learn more about your options.
Choosing Rush for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
- Specialized MIGS team: Our team of highly trained surgeons specialize in providing cutting-edge minimally invasive surgical solutions for a wide range of gynecologic conditions. Our experts perform a high volume of surgeries and are experienced in treating routine and complex conditions.
- Convenient care: Rush has gynecology surgeons in Chicago and the surrounding area. If you have a procedure in Chicago, you can schedule follow-up care where it's most convenient for you. Many providers offer online scheduling.
- State-of-the art options: Our gynecologic surgeons are experts in all of the latest minimally invasive technologies available to treat gynecologic conditions, including robotic surgery. Rush providers will develop a treatment plan personalized for you.
- Specialized pelvic health expertise: Rush University Medical Center offers the Program for Abdominal and Pelvic Health. This site brings together a team of experts to treat complex pelvic conditions. Urogynecologists, physical therapists and other specialists will collaborate to address your condition.
- Among the best in the U.S.: U.S. News & World Report ranks Rush University Medical Center among the top hospitals in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can call (888) 352-7874 to make an appointment. Some Rush minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons also offer online scheduling. If you are an existing Rush patient, you can schedule an appointment through MyChart.
MIGS is performed without large incisions. Minimally invasive procedures can reduce your recovery time after surgery and leave less scarring. Traditional open surgery is performed through a larger incision in your abdomen.
Many procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. Your options will depend on your diagnosis, anatomy and other health conditions. Make an appointment with a Rush provider to understand if you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery.
The recovery timeline after laparoscopic or robotic surgery will depend on the type of procedure you have. You will likely be able to go home the same day, or the day after your surgery. You will usually be able to return to your normal activities in two to six weeks.
Your restrictions will depend on the type of procedure you have. You will likely need to avoid sex for a few weeks after your procedure. After some procedures, you may need to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activity and driving. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.
Surgery to treat fibroids, polyps, endometriosis or other conditions may improve your chances of becoming pregnant. Minimally invasive surgery also leaves less scar tissue than open surgery, potentially preventing fertility problems related to scarring. Our MIGS team also offers tubal ligation reversal surgery for patients seeking reversal of permanent sterilization. Your Rush provider will answer any questions you have about your ability to become pregnant after MIGS.
Minimally invasive surgery can be used to treat many conditions, including:
- Uterine fibroids
- Adenomyosis
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic pain
- Ovarian cysts
Radiofrequency ablation uses waves of heat energy to destroy or shrink tissue. This technique can treat many different diseases.
In gynecology, radiofrequency ablation is commonly used to destroy the lining of your uterus, or endometrium. This can reduce or stop heavy bleeding. It is also used to shrink or remove uterine fibroids.
Both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are common minimally invasive procedures. Hysteroscopy is performed without incisions. Your provider will insert a scope through your vagina into your uterus. A laparoscopy is performed through one or more small incisions in your belly.
