Minimally Invasive Surgery is the use of surgical techniques, either laparoscopic or vaginal, that employ small “port” incisions for laparoscopic use or intravaginal incisions, avoiding larger abdominal incisions that result in more pain, longer hospitalization, slower recovery and possibly increased complications. These “ports” provide entry into the abdomen for the use of visual aids (laparoscope) and many instruments that can grasp, cut and coagulate tissue, allowing the surgeon to perform complex procedures previously only done with the traditional “open” abdominal incisions. Similarly, prolapse repair surgery, or pelvic reconstruction, employs a vaginal approach with specially designed devises to insert mesh grafts for tissue reinforcement and anchoring support and therefore avoiding more extensive abdominal incisions resulting in less post operative pain and quicker recovery. Many procedures are done on an outpatient basis and the more extensive pelvic reconstructions usually require only one hospital night stay.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy, (total or partial) is a laparoscopic procedure for removing the uterus through small abdominal incisions. The entire uterus can be removed (TLH, total laparoscopic hysterectomy) or the cervix can be left in place (LSH, laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy). With both procedures the ovaries can be removed if needed or desired without additional incisions. Laparoscopic hysterectomies are done under general anesthesia and many times as outpatient. The recovery is from 1-3 wks, with restriction on vaginal intercourse for 6 wks in TLH cases.