Bone Density Scan/DEXA
This procedure is done in our office and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The purpose of the test is to assess the health of your bones. Like other organs in the body, bones are constantly changing and rebuilding. Click the following link to download more information & instructions for the day of the procedure.

Urodynamics Testing
This procedure is done in our office and takes approximately 30-45 minutes. Urodynamics is performed to allow your doctor to determine the best possible treatment option for the particular bladder problem are experiencing. This test will allow Dr. Mitchell to know how well you bladder is functioning and where the problems are occurring. Click the following link to download more information & instructions for the day of the procedure.

Pelvic Sonogram
This procedure is done in our office and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It is performed to help Dr. Mitchell determine the possible cause of pain or problems you may be experiencing. A probe is inserted into your vagina to view the health of your uterus and ovaries. You will most likely not see Dr. Mitchell on the day of your sonogram. You may be asked to come in for a follow-up appointment at a later date.

Cryo-Ablation/Her Option
An endometrial ablation therapy is an outpatient procedure that destroys the uterine lining to eliminate or reduce bleeding from the uterus. This procedure is an alternative to a hysterectomy for women with heavy uterine bleeding
Benefits of office Cryo-ablation Therapy:

• high success and patient satisfaction rate
• patient comfort
• strong safety profile
• a procedure, not a surgery
• no hormones

Endometrial Biopsy/Office D & C
Endometrial biopsy is a medical procedure used to remove a sample of tissue from the patient to be analyzed and diagnosed by a physician. An endometrial biopsy is the only procedure used to discover endometrial cancer. It is only given to high-risk patients. Endometrial cancer is diagnosed in about 39,000 women every year in the USA.

Cryosurgery
Cervical cryosurgery or cryotherapy is a gynecological treatment that freezes a section of the cervix. Cryosurgery of the cervix is most often done to destroy abnormal cervical cells that show changes that may lead to cancer. These changes are called precancerous cells or cervical dysplasia.

If a Pap smear is abnormal, a colposcopy (examination of the cervix using a magnifying lens) and a biopsy (the collection and examination of tissue) may be performed to determine whether cancer is present. Once cancer is identified, other tests may be necessary to determine the best approach to treatment such as LEEP / LLETZ procedure

Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a way the doctor will use a special magnifying device to look at your vulva, vagina, and cervix. If a problem is seen during colposcopy, a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken from the cervix or from inside the opening of the cervix (endocervical canal). The sample is then sent to the pathology lab for further testing.

These surgical procedures are performed at Kennestone Hospital.

Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery / Sacrocolpopexy
A common procedure for repairing vaginal vault prolapse and restoring the length and shape of the vaginal canal. A vaginal vault prolapse is a condition in which the uppermost part of the vagina slips downward.

LEEP/LLETZ Procedure
The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is currently one of the most commonly used approaches to treating high grade cervical dysplasia discovered on colposcopic examination. It is also known as "large loop excision of the transformation zone" (LLETZ).

Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence is more prevalent in the elderly. Urinary incontinence should not be considered a natural part of aging. It can happen to any patient at any age, and is nearly always treatable. Symptoms of incontinence range from embarrassing leaks and dribbles during routine or strenuous activity to a constant, urgent need to run to the bathroom.

Urinary Incontinence Surgery
Surgery may be used to treat some types of urinary incontinence.    Stress urinary incontinence is the most common type of incontinence. Surgical treatment is done to lift and support the connection between the bladder and the tube through which urine leaves the body (urethra). Urethral slings have been used successfully in tens of thousands of patients in the U.S. and around the world, and studies have shown that on average, 83%-90% of patients are dry after treatment.

Urethral Slings surgery is an outpatient procedure and is minimally invasive form of sling surgery with a high success rate. Urethral slings are made of a synthetic mesh. The sling is placed under the urethra, where it acts as a support to the urethra and prevents leaks that can occur with activities of daily living. This procedure is less invasive, requiring a smaller incision, resulting in less pain and a faster recovery time.

Types of Hysterectomies: Open Surgery

An open abdominal hysterectomy is performed through an incision in the lower abdomen. Complete recovery time is four to six weeks.
Laparoscopic Hysterctomy
Minimally Invasive –
In a conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy, several small incisions are made in the abdomen. A small tube (laparoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted through the incisions. The laparoscope brings light and a small camera into the abdomen, and surgeons view the surgical area on a television monitor. In a laparoscopic hysterectomy, the uterus is removed through the vagina, instead of through an incision in the abdomen.

Laparoscopic surgery takes extensive training to perform safely and correctly. Benefits of a minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy can include less pain and blood loss than open surgery. Usually, recovery time is shorter and patients can return to normal activity with minor restrictions in one to two weeks.

Minimally Invasive - DaVinci / Robotic-Assisted surgery

In robotic hysterectomy, surgeons perform the hysterectomy through small abdominal incisions using the computer-enhanced daVinci robotic system. The da Vinci Surgical System is the newest available technology that can provide the surgeon with the precision, dexterity and control of traditional open surgery, while only requiring smaller incisions. The robotic instruments are inserted through four to five small incisions in the patient's abdomen. The surgeon controls the instruments from a remote control console in the operating room, viewing the surgical area — magnified and in definition 3-D — on a video screen while performing the procedure.
The robotic system's computer offers capabilities (magnification, adjustment for hand tremors, fine control of the instruments) which allow the surgeon to operate with more precision and flexibility than traditional hysterectomy. Usually patients have less pain and blood loss and can return to normal activity, with minor restrictions, in one to two weeks.
The patient, benefits may include:

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Less scarring
• Shorter recovery time
• A faster return to normal daily activities

And in many cases, better clinical outcomes

General Gynecology Surgery
Hysteroscopy
The hysteroscope has an optical system and a channel for delivery of a distention medium. After cervical dilation, the hysteroscope is guided into the uterine cavity and an inspection is performed. If abnormalities are found, an operative hysteroscope also has a channel to allow specialized instruments to enter the cavity and perform surgery. Typically hysteroscopic intervention is done under anesthesia.

Laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, which is also called minimally invasive surgery (MIS), bandaid surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions (usually 0.5-1.5cm) as compared to larger incisions needed in traditional surgical procedures. Laparoscopic surgery includes operations within the abdominal or pelvic cavities.

Other procedures that can be done with the laparoscope are: Oophorectomy
Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one or both ovaries.
Oophorectomy is performed to:

• remove cancerous ovaries
• remove the source of estrogen that stimulates some cancers
• remove large ovarian cysts in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• excise an abscess
• treat endometriosis
• lower the risk of an ectopic pregnancy
• lower the risk of cancer in a woman with a family history of ovarian or breast cancer

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of  both ovaries and tubes.