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Women’s Health
Gynecological Care
Holy Cross Hospital surgeons perform more gynecologic and gynecologic oncology surgeries than any other hospital in Maryland or the District of Columbia. Our renowned surgeons specialize in advanced minimally invasive surgery and treat a wide range of gynecological conditions. Minimally invasive surgery allows many women to avoid open surgery and experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, shorter recovery times and smaller scars.
Gynecological Care
As a woman, it’s important to take care of your gynecological health. Establishing a regular routine of health care visits to stay on top of your gynecological health is one of the best things you can do to ensure good health.
Our OB/GYN Clinic is open to any woman, regardless of her ability to pay for services. The clinic offers: annual gynecological exams; routine screenings, like PAP smears and breast exams; surgical care for gynecological problems; assistance in scheduling mammograms; as well as care for routine and high-risk pregnancies.
Gynecological SurgeryHoly Cross Hospital surgeons perform more gynecologic and gynecologic oncology surgeries than any other hospital in Maryland or the District of Columbia. Our renowned surgeons specialize in advanced minimally invasive surgery and treat a wide range of gynecological conditions. Minimally invasive surgery allows many women to avoid open surgery and experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, shorter recovery times and smaller scars.
Who is a Candidate for Minimally Invasive
Gynecologic Surgery?
Today, there is a minimally invasive option
for almost every surgery or gynecologic condition. Some conditions
for which laparoscopic surgery may be an option include infertility,
early or advanced endometriosis, pelvic pain, extensive adhesions,
fibroids, urinary incontinence, vaginal prolapse, ovarian cysts,
hysterectomy, and diagnosing and staging ovarian, cervical and
uterine cancer.
| Laparoscopic Surgery | Open Surgery | |
| Incision: | 1⁄2 inch | 15 inches |
| Pain: | minimal | moderate to severe |
| Hospital Stay: | one overnight | three to five days |
| Recovery Time: | one week | six to eight weeks |
| Chemotherapy: | one week post surgery | two to four weeks post surgery |
Treating Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids, common benign tumors
of the reproductive tract, are associated with abnormal bleeding,
infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, lower abdominal pain,
pressure and urinary tract symptoms. They are responsible for
nearly 200,000 hysterectomies performed each year in the United
States—one-third of the total number of hysterectomies
performed every year nationwide.
In many cases, uterine fibroids can be treated with minimally invasive procedures, which avoid the need for a complete hysterectomy and offer hope to thousands of women. Holy Cross Hospital surgeons are skilled in laparoscopy-assisted myomectomy, a minimally invasive surgery that removes fibroids from the uterus using a five-millimeter incision.
Holy Cross Hospital interventional radiologists also offer patients uterine artery embolization, a nonsurgical option that eliminates the blood supply to the fibroid tumors, causing them to deteriorate.
Relieving Pelvic Pain from Endometriosis
or Scar Tissue
Endometriosis is a common cause of pelvic
pain and infertility in women that can be treated with minimally
invasive laparoscopic surgery. The procedure removes endometrial
tissue, which relieves pelvic pain and may help with fertility.
Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery also can relieve pelvic
pain that is caused by scar tissue that results from infections
or previous surgeries.
Hysterectomies Made Easier
A hysterectomy (the removal of the
uterus) is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the
United States. In the past, hysterectomies have been associated
with considerable pain and a lengthy recovery. With the advanced
technology available to Holy Cross Hospital surgeons, however,
hysterectomies can be performed with minimally invasive techniques
and just a few tiny incisions. The benefits of laparoscopically
assisted vaginal hysterectomy include decreased recovery time and
a dramatic reduction in post-surgery pain.
Gynecologic Oncologists: Specialized Training
Improves Outcomes
The Holy Cross Hospital Cancer Institute
is a regional leader in performing advanced laparoscopic procedures
to treat gynecologic cancer. Our physicians are board-certified
in gynecologic oncology, a highly advanced specialty in which
physicians are trained to search the abdominal and pelvic areas
for malignancies and remove them.
The expertise of the surgeon performing the surgery is important; the prognosis for survival from ovarian and other reproductive cancers is directly related to the success of surgical intervention to remove the cancer. And clinical outcomes have been shown to be better for patients who receive care from a gynecologic oncologist.
Gynecologic oncology deals with the study and treatment of malignancies in the female reproductive organs. Ovarian, endometrial (or uterine) and cervical cancers are the most common and serious gynecologic malignancies women face. Gynecologic oncologists first receive their training as obstetrician/gynecologists, then go on to receive additional training in all of the effective forms of treatment for gynecologic cancers (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and experimental treatments), as well as the biology and pathology of gynecologic cancer. Advanced laparoscopic gynecologic surgeons have specialized training and experience in minimally invasive surgical procedures.
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Find a physician who specializes in gynecologic oncology. |
Expertise and Care of a Women’s Surgical
Unit
Holy Cross Hospital was the first hospital
in suburban Maryland to open a Women’s Surgical Unit
designed especially for women who require hospitalization following
gynecological procedures.
The skilled nurses and other care providers in the Women’s Surgical Unit have a unique knowledge of women’s post-surgical physical and emotional needs. This care team can also provide expanded support services, such as pain management and personalized education.
Because we treat more women than anyone else in our area, we know that environment can play a key role in your recovery. The Women’s Surgical Unit features:
- Private rooms
- Private bathrooms with showers
- Comfortable furnishings
- Sleeper sofas for an overnight guest
- Telephones
- Cable television
- Daily newspaper delivery
- Soft lighting and pleasant artwork
- CARE Channel® relaxation television
Know Your Options
Holy Cross Hospital encourages everyone
to get multiple opinions before making a decision about any procedure.
Learn more
Get information on related health
topics.