Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery

Julia Riftine, MD

OBGYN & Aesthetics located in Hackensack, NJ

Minimally invasive gynecological surgery is one of the most exciting advancements in women’s health to take place in recent decades. Julia Riftine, MD, FACOG, offers laparoscopic procedures through her practice in Hackensack, New Jersey. If you need a gynecologic surgical procedure, ask Dr. Riftine if laparoscopy is right for you. Online scheduling is available, or you are always welcome to call the office to check appointment availability.

201-583-5835

Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery Q & A

What is laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a type of surgical approach that uses a tiny lighted telescope to produce magnified images of your internal tissues. In decades past, most surgeries were open procedures. The surgeon created a sizable incision to gain access to the necessary organs and tissues.

This approach created a significant risk of infection. It also increased the risk of complications like blood loss and left patients with lengthy recovery times. Laparoscopy allows practitioners to gain a clear picture of internal tissues without creating a large incision or disrupting surrounding tissues.

How does laparoscopy work?

Laparoscopic procedures can be done using general or local anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Once you are resting comfortably, Dr. Riftine creates a small incision, often in your navel.

She guides the laparoscope into the incision. The device looks like a long, thin tube, and has a light and a camera at the end. The camera projects high-quality, magnified images onto an external monitor.

This allows Dr. Riftine to “see” your internal tissues and organs in real-time. She can then look for abnormalities, gather tissue samples for a biopsy, or even perform surgical procedures. If surgery is required, she may need to create additional small incisions to guide the surgical tools into position or remove tissue through the tubing.

Once the procedure is complete, Dr. Riftine carefully removes the laparoscope and surgical tools and closes the incisions.

What types of procedures can be performed using minimally invasive gynecologic surgery?

Laparoscopy is a versatile tool that can be deployed in numerous settings. Some of the applications of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery include:

Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
Myomectomy (removal of uterine fibroids)
Ovarian cyst removal
Tubal ligation, or sterilization
Endometrial tissue ablation
Removal of cancerous tissue
Treatment of pelvic pain
Surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse

These are just some of the procedures that can be performed using laparoscopic techniques. Dr. Riftine will explain all of your options before moving forward with any surgical treatment.

If you have questions about minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, set up a visit with Dr. Riftine to learn more. Booking a visit takes just moments online or over the phone.