Frequently
Asked
Questions

Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive because it requires only small incisions and uses a slender camera called a laparoscope and narrow instruments to perform the surgery. Using a laparoscope allows the surgeon to view what is happening during the surgery inside the body on a video screen and avoid using a large incision.

Compared to surgery through a large incision, small incisions mean less pain, quicker return to home, fewer complications after the surgery and a more rapid recovery time with smaller scars.

Laparoscopic surgery can be performed for nearly all gynaecologic surgeries that involve the female pelvic organs and surrounding tissues such as the uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries. Surgeries for pelvic diseases such as endometriosis and cancer can be performed in certain situations and with specially trained gynecologic surgeons.

Major surgery generally refers to any surgery performed through a large incision that would require an extended stay in the hospital immediately following the surgery.

Major surgery also refers to the specific surgery being performed. Removing the uterus as with a hysterectomy, for example, would be a major surgery because an entire organ is removed whether the hysterectomy is performed laparoscopically or through a large incision.

Major surgeries tend to have more surgical risk associated with the procedure than when less complicated, or minor procedures are performed.

Hysterectomy refers to removal of all (with the cervix) or part of the uterus (upper part only). It is the second most common surgical procedure performed for women ages 40-50 years old.

Hysterectomy does not include removing the ovaries or uterine tubes, but these organs sometimes are removed at the time of a hysterectomy.

Myomectomy refers to removal of benign muscle cell tumours called myomas, or also known as fibroids from the uterus. A surgeon performs a myomectomy when these tumors are causing problems such as pain or bleeding for a patient who wishes not to have her uterus removed.

A contained tissue removal system allows safe removal of tissue from the abdomen during minimally invasive surgery. The LapBox is a unique tissue containment system.

The innovative design of the LapBox is unlike any other tissue containment system. The double-wall of the device provides added safety and security for efficient and effective tissue removal during minimally invasive surgery.

Morcellation is the term used frequently to describe the process of cutting tissue into smaller pieces in order to be removed through a small incision. Therefore, morcellation is often utilized during minimally invasive surgery to prevent the use of a large incision.

There are two ways tissue can be made into smaller pieces. The first is called manual morcellation and by using a scalpel, the surgeon cuts and removes small pieces by hand. The second is called power morcellation and by using an instrument with a motor, the surgeon cuts and removes small pieces with mechanical assistance.

Common gynecologic surgical procedures utilizing minimally invasive surgery and morcellation are hysterectomy and myomectomy.

Morcellation is not appropriate for all patients, however when the surgeon has determined morcellation to be safe and effective for a particular individual, she follows the recommendations of the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for use of a tissue containment system, such as the LapBox.

Contained tissue removal systems prevent the spread of tissue or cells during the morcellation process. Therefore, use of the LapBox increases the safety of morcellation when used during minimally invasive surgery.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy for some women can be performed by removing the entire uterus through the vagina without morcellation. However, this can only be true for those women who have a small sized, normal, or slightly enlarged uterus. For women who have myomas, the uterus can often be too large to be removed without morcellation, and for these women, the alternative to morcellation is a large incision.