Surgical Procedures
Sometimes the most effective way treat infertility issues is through minor surgical procedures. In fertility medicine, we operate on a very small, sometimes even microscopic, scale most of the time on an outpatient basis.
Small Procedures with Big Benefits
While the thought of surgery may cause anxiety in some patients, we want you to feel assured that our surgeons are among the very best worldwide, and frequently win awards for their surgical skills.
Egg Retrieval
One of the most common forms of surgery we perform at Fertility Centers of Illinois is Egg Retrieval which is done as part of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) or egg freezing.
During the retrieval, a fertility specialist gently removes eggs from each follicle on the ovaries using transvaginal ultrasound guidance. The patient is under anesthesia and the process takes 15 – 20 minutes. After a short recovery period, the patient returns home that day.
Hysteroscopy
A hysteroscope is a slim tube with a light and a camera at the end of it that is used to examine the uterine cavity. A hysteroscopy is performed with the patient under anesthesia to diagnose conditions such as uterine polyps, fibroids, adhesions, septum, or other conditions which may interfere with fertility or cause miscarriage.
Dilation and Curretage (D&C)
A D&C is performed under anesthesia when there is tissue in the uterus that needs to be removed. It can be used to diagnose abnormal bleeding or to treat a miscarriage if needed to remove the pregnancy tissue. This tissue is examined under a microscope for further insights into your health condition or miscarriage.
Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy is surgery performed through a small incision in the abdomen using a thin, lighted tube under general anesthesia. It can be used to confirm or treat such conditions as endometriosis, adhesions, or ovarian cysts. The process usually takes 30-90 minutes and the patient returns home same day.
