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Share your
experience
as a male
gynecologist.
Dr. Hegde: “I must
admit my appreciation
when I came initially
here especially in a
culturally sensitive
society. Looking
back at my 15 years
of professional
clinical practice, it is
encouraging to see a
preference for a male
gynecologist especially
among women
with complicated
gynecological
conditions requiring
treatment. Having
said so, gender I feel
is not a constraint as
long as you practice
the profession
ethically with dignity
and respect for your
patients.”
Q. What is
laparoscopy?
Dr. Hegde: “Laparoscopy is a
minimally invasive surgical
technique which allows
intervention in the abdominal
cavity without the need for a
major operation. This procedure
is carried out under anesthesia
in which recovery is fast and the
patient can leave the hospital in
four to six hours. It allows the
gynecologist to visualize internal
genital organs such as the uterus,
the ovaries and the fallopian tubes
so that a diagnosis can be made
when the patient has chronic
pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic
pregnancy and so on, and also
surgery can be performed when
indicated. Today laparoscopic
surgery can be performed in
almost all gynecological conditions
wherein routinely open surgery is
performed; for example, removal
of fibroids from the womb,
removal of the womb, ovarian
cyst removal, endometriosis,
removal of adhesions, tubal
microsurgeries, and tubal ligation
(Sterilization) operations. Surgery
is carried through a small nick in
the naval area.”
Q. What is
hysteroscopy?
Dr. Hegde: “Hysteroscopy is an
incision-free procedure which
helps visualize the interior of the
uterine cavity or womb. In order
to do this, a hysteroscope--a
modern optical instrument, similar
to a miniscule telescope of only
four millimeters in diameter-- is
inserted via the neck of the uterus.
This procedure helps in both
diagnosing and treating the womb
related pathologies such as polyp,
fibroids, malformations, or septum
without any cut as the procedure
is carried out through natural
orifice. Normally the intervention
is carried out without a diagnostic
aesthetic and occasionally local/
regional anesthetic is used for
operative hysteroscopy. This
ambulatory procedure lasts
between 20 and 30 minutes.”
Q. Can you please
explain what
colposcopy is in
layman terms?
Dr. Hegde: “Colposcopy is
the endoscopic procedure for
diagnosing/treating the disease of
the cervix and vagina. Colposcopy
is the gold standard investigation
in diagnosing one of the most
common and preventable cancers
of women – cancer of cervix in the
precancerous stage and subsequent
treatment. Visualization of cervix
and vagina under magnified
illumination helps in the early
detection of precancerous and
early cancerous lesions and
immediate treatment resulting in
better survival for women.”
Q. What are
the benefits of
endoscopic surgery?
Dr. Hegde: “The recovery from
endoscopic gynecological surgery
is faster than in conventional
(open) surgeries as interventions
are minimal, less blood loss along
with shorter hospital stay. Post-
operative pain is minimal and
infections are less likely than with
conventional surgery. Above all,
patient satisfaction rates are very
high with laparoscopic surgeries
as they are minimally invasive as
name suggests and cosmetically
appealing.
Though the procedures per se are
more expensive than conventional
surgery, the overall cost to the
patient is less in view of a reduced
length of stay in the hospital, less
use of pain relievers/antibiotics,
early recovery and early return to
work.”
Q. How safe are
these procedures?
Dr. Hegde: “It is worth mentioning
that these modern surgical
techniques are meticulous and
if carried out by a well trained
and experienced gynecologist
endoscopic surgeon is completely
safe. Side-effects are almost non-
existent. No surgery is out of risk/
complications. Having said so,
proper patient selection, planning
and performing the surgery shall
eliminate/minimize the risks.” H
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Sep/Oct 2015