Women’s diseases are delicate, especially those involving internal organs, requiring careful attention. Do not be too shy to avoid diagnosis because technology has advanced significantly nowadays. For example, “hysteroscopic surgery” is one of the treatment methods that is not as scary as people think.
What is the technique of “hysteroscopic surgery”?
Dr. Aranya Yantapan, a gynecologist specializing in laparoscopic surgery at Phyathai 2 Hospital, explains to us that “Hysteroscopic surgery, or Hysteroscopy, refers to the method of inserting a camera into the uterus to operate on lesions located in the vaginal canal. The camera size ranges from 1.9 mm, 3 mm, up to 12 mm depending on the type of surgery, but generally nowadays it does not exceed 4-5 mm. This is used for removing tumors inside the uterine cavity, polyps, endometrial lining, or for diagnosing abnormal bleeding or uterine abnormalities.”
What is the difference between Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy?
For many who are confused between these two terms, the doctor provides a simple explanation: “Laparoscopy is a laparoscopic surgery through the abdominal cavity for diagnosis and surgery, while Hysteroscopy is a camera inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity to diagnose abnormalities inside the uterus and can perform surgery without opening the abdominal wall or uterine wall to remove tumors inside the uterine cavity.”
How to choose the “surgical method”?
Besides choosing based on the location of the lesion, the doctor says the patient’s needs must also be considered. “Some patients want conservative surgery that minimizes damage to the uterus, ovaries, and other organs, mostly those who wish to have children in the future. For example, in cases requiring hysteroscopic surgery, it is suitable for treating small polyps or tumors not exceeding 3 mm inside the uterine cavity.” The most problematic cases are those with very large tumors protruding into the uterine cavity because these are difficult to treat, cause significant blood loss, and have a higher risk of injury to the intestines. The doctor must evaluate the suitability on a case-by-case basis.
What are the limitations of laparoscopic surgery?
As mentioned, surgery must be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine if laparoscopic surgery is feasible. If the tumor is large, laparoscopic surgery may not be the appropriate treatment. “Complications must be taken into account, such as anesthesia risks, injury to other organs, blood vessel damage, and in patients who have undergone more than three surgeries, laparoscopic surgery is usually not chosen. Older patients with multiple comorbidities also require caution.” The experience of the doctor and medical team is also very important.
Nothing is 100%… The final message from the doctor
“Nowadays, there are many modern treatment options available, not just internal examinations. Nothing in medicine is 100%. Even without symptoms, there may still be a risk of serious diseases. Early consultation with a doctor allows for better, easier, and safer treatment. Seeing a doctor also provides accurate and reliable information compared to searching on the internet, which sometimes only offers personal opinions and not standardized information, causing unnecessary anxiety for many people.”
Dr. Aranya Yantapan
Specialist in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery
Women’s Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
