The longer a surgical procedure or recovery time, the higher the risks of side-effects.
Despite advancements in gynecological surgical techniques, a large number of women are still subjected to open procedures for hysterectomy or myomectomy. This is often the result of surgeons’ lack of laparoscopic training and experience with complex conditions like large fibroids or extensive endometriosis. Patients need to understand that it is not the extent of the condition, but the skill of the specialist.
In recent stories from celebrities (singer Monica, Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel, and Australian clothing designer Thessy Kouzoukas) announcing treatment for GYN conditions that millions of women are experiencing, too many are claiming that they are going to have major surgery with open procedures or 7-8 hour procedures. Despite the implication that celebrity also affords access to the best level of care, these women are actually experiencing out-of-date procedures, with long, painful recoveries.
Bethenny Frankel recounts her experience on her website. She had an open procedure through her C-section scar. “The days in the hospital were challenging, the week after wasn’t a picnic, the scar seems a little worse than from giving birth, but, getting up and moving around a week later made my recovery way quicker than ever. My MD said he once had a patient up and about after three weeks…”
When a patient is told she has to have an open procedure, it is often because that is the level of surgery that surgeon is comfortable with, but that does a major disservice to the patient. Open surgeries have longer recovery times. In many cases, if the condition is complex, the surgery time itself can be longer.
The length of surgical times and recovery times both contribute to an increase risk of long-term side-effects that can affect a patient’s vascular and neurological health. Remaining still for too long can increase the risk of blood clots. Open procedures also have longer, more painful recovery times, which means the patient often remains inactive for long periods of time. The neurological effects of general anesthesia can include delirium or memory-loss, and the risks increase with age or if the patient has pre-existing dementia or Alzheimers.
Longer surgeries require larger amounts of anesthesia to ensure the patient is kept from moving, as well as ensuring that there is no memory of the procedure. In recent years research into the effects of anesthesia have led multiple teaching hospitals to look into the electrical impulses active in the brain during surgery and what that could mean for managing the type and amount of anesthesia used.
SMALL INCISIONS, SHORT PROCEDURES FOR LARGE FIBROID REMOVAL & EXTENSIVE ENDOMETRIOSIS EXCISION
Choosing the most thorough procedure for a complex GYN condition with the most experienced surgeons means a more efficient (and faster) procedure and recovery is just days. These techniques reduce the risks of anesthesia side effects as well as risks of blood clots from lack of mobility during recovery.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GYN SPECIALIST
Advanced training for laparoscopic surgery is essential for the best patient outcomes. This includes performing state-of-the-art techniques that control blood loss and improve visibility, as well as extensive experience performing complex surgeries. Higher volume in performing laparoscopy means the surgeon has a higher exposure to complex conditions.
Read the full article | Celebrity Surgeries Lead To Misconceptions About GYN Techniques
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