Women's Health Blog

Laparoscopic Myomectomy uses a small telescope placed through the belly button along Accurate diagnosis of uterine fibroids is essential in deciding if treatment is necessary, and planning appropriate treatment. While a physical exam may suggest fibroids, other conditions such as ovarian cysts or adenomyosis may be mistaken for fibroids. For this reason, I routinely do an ultrasound examination at the time of the first visit when a woman has symptoms of abnormal bleeding or cramping, or if I feel an abnormality on examination.

Laparoscopic Myomectomy uses a small telescope placed through the belly button along with several small instruments to remove fibroids from the uterus. The technique of actually removing the fibroid from the uterus is similar to that of an abdominal myomectomy except we use small instruments placed through the abdominal wall. Once the fibroid is freed from the uterus it needs to be removed from the abdomen. In order to remove a large fibroid from a small incision we use an instrument called a morcellator, to cut it into pieces small enough to be removed through the small incisions.

What are echogenic intracardiac foci (EIF)? EIF are small, echogenic lesions seen (on sonography) inside the left or right ventricles of the fetal heart within the papillary muscles or chordae tendinae. These lesions are not attached to the wall of the ventricles.

We received the following comment from Mitch Nudelman, MD, regarding the use of office-based uterine evacuation in early pregnancy failure. Seems there’s more to the issue than the lack of physician training highlighted in a recent study.

Uterine Fibroids can effect quality of life, can at times cause dangerous problems such as severe hemorrhage, but most often cause no problems at all. The first question to ask is should fibroids be treated rather than how.

This week, I spent over 3 hours struggling with my chief resident in a clinic case doing a robotic hysterectomy and staging. Granted, the patient was an obese hypertensive diabetic who benefited from avoiding a big midline incision, but it did make me think of one of my mentors from fellowship.

A 47 year old woman with “rapidly growing uterine fibroid”. P.D.M. contacted us because she was told she had a rapidly growing fibroid. She wanted to avoid a hysterectomy, but in her home state of Wyoming was only offered hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries because of the possibility of cancer.

After delivery, there may be partial or complete retention of parts of the placenta or other decidual tissues within the uterus. This condition is termed “retained products of conception” (RPOC).

Obesity: to treat, or not to treat: that is the question? Recently I read a column in the Florida Sun Sentinel in which some ob/gyns in South Florida reported that they turned away obese patients—15 practices of the 105 polled stated that they had established a weight “cut-off” starting at 200 pounds. In the interest of transparency I must admit that I would have problems finding a doctor under these circumstances as I am 5′ 10.5″ and over these physicians’ set weight limit.

In order to evaluate uterine fibroids, we need to know what is on the inside of the uterus. Many times ultrasound (or saline enhanced ultrasound) or MRI will provide the information we need. Many women are subjected to endometrial biopsy which is good to rule out cancer, but useless in diagnosing submucous fibroids and polyps. Fortunately it is easy to look directly into the uterus using a thin telescope called a hysteroscope.

At the time I was starting this blog two patients with similar fibroids came to see me. Both were severely anemic, and one was hemorrhaging and in shock.

Uterine fibroids that are completely or partially inside the cavity of the uterus (submucous myomas) can often be removed through the cervix by using an instrument called a resectoscope.

The cost of health care has been a major topic in the news of late. The growth in public debt is due in no small part to inflation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. As physicians, we always wish to do what we can to maximize our patient’s health. But is there any way to do this without increasing the price-tag of medicine?

Would you turn an obese woman away from your practice? While it may seem unethical to most, Florida's Sun Sentinel has polled 105 ob/gyn practices to ask if they have set an established "weight cut-off" for new patients - 15 said they have.

Behind every @UNCOBGYN tweet, you’ll find Juli Kidd, Director of Communications for UNC’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Kidd, who has been with UNC OB/GYN since 1997 (starting out as administrative secretary to the chair), says the department’s goals in using Twitter are 2-fold: “First we want to improve and develop relationships with other women’s health care providers. Our interest is to share and receive information about the latest advances in the field. Secondly, we want to be able to inform women so that we can empower them with the latest in health information.”

There are a variety of complications that can occur during laparoscopic surgery. In this tutorial learn some of the complications and tips to avoid them.

Review information on low molecular weight heparin in recurrent miscarriages in this educational tutorial.