Gynaecology is the medical practice relating to the health of the female reproductive system. At UKSH, our gynaecologists perform a number of different procedures.

Abdominal hysterectomy (simple)

An abdominal hysterectomy involves removal of the womb (uterus) through a cut in the abdomen (stomach). The ovaries can be removed at the same time if necessary - this is called an oophorectomy.

A hysterectomy may be required due to a number of conditions including:

• heavy and/or very painful periods
• endometriosis - a condition in which the lining of the womb flourishes somewhere else inside the abdomen, most commonly on the ovaries
• fibroids - non-cancerous growths of the womb

The hospital stay for this procedure is typically 3 -4 nights.

Vaginal hysterectomy, colporrhaphy, sacrocolpopexy

A vaginal hysterectomy involves removal of the womb (uterus) through the vagina. One of these operations may be required as treatment for a number of conditions including:

• symptoms/evidence of prolapse requiring surgical intervention
• heavy menstrual bleeding not responding to other treatments
• vault prolapse

A 3-4 night stay is typical for these procedures.

Hysteroscopy and minor/intermediate procedures

A hysteroscopy procedure involves your surgeon looking inside your womb (uterus) by passing a narrow tube-like camera called a hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix.

Hysteroscopy procedure can help find out what's causing symptoms such as irregular vaginal/menstrual bleeding and discharge. It can also check for polyps (small growth in the uterus lining), fibroids (muscle growth in the uterus) or early signs of womb cancer.

This is a day case procedure.

Excision, biopsy vulva

Our surgeons perform excisions (removal by cutting) of vulval cysts like Bartholin’s, vulval skin tags/polyps and sebaceous cysts (cyst below the surface of the skin).

These are all day case procedures.

Insertion/removal of IUCD

An intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a form of contraception where a small device made of plastic or copper is placed into the uterus. Insertion should only be undertaken by a trained family planning professional.

Insertion or removal may be required for the following reasons:

• if there is an inability to do so in Primary Care
• if IUCD strings are lost
• stenosis (narrowing of passageway) of cervix precluding removal
• as treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding

This is an outpatient/day case procedure.

Laparoscopy, tubal sterilisation and other intermediate procedures

A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen and the pelvis. Laparoscopy is minimally invasive, or keyhole, surgery. This is made possible with an instrument called a laparoscope.

You may require one of these procedures for the following reasons:

• persistent, unexplained pelvic or abdominal pain
• endometriosis/endometriomas
• request for sterilisation (permanent birth control) having declined all alternative methods

These are all day case procedures.

Gynaecology procedures are available at our Cirencester, Devizes, Emersons Green and Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centres