fertility surgery
through the correct lens
the mfc difference
the best of both worlds, all under one roof
As IVF success has continuously improved over the last few decades, indications for reproductive surgery have, in parallel, declined. This has left a void for patients as most reproductive endocrinologists have downsized their surgical practice. The remaining option, classic pelvic surgeons, simply do not approach the anatomy through the lens of fertility expert. Our solution: an in-house reproductive surgeon with a vast classic surgical background in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) who sees structural problems through the eyes of a fertility specialist.
MFC’s approach once again breaks with current convention to reclaim the patient’s rightful position at the center of care. In many fertility offices, if you require an advanced pelvic surgery, you will need to be referred outside the practice to undergo the procedure. At MFC, you don’t even have to change exam rooms.
80% of our surgeries are completed in our on-site office procedure room which is accredited by the AAAHC. The other 20% are completed as outpatient procedure.
a message from our in-house expert
I spent 14 years in academic medicine at a Level 1 Trauma Center training residents and fellows. Fertility treatments were a luxury for our patients so I had to approach their surgeries knowing that Assisted Reproductive Technologies like IVF were not going to be an option for my patients.
When I arrived at MFC I began to see first hand the impact that surgery done with the best intentions can truly have on reproduction, particularly ovarian function. I also began to see how many of our patients went undiagnosed with endometriosis. If you don’t know it well, you don’t suspect it. My experience surgically helps me see our fertility patients from a unique perspective. I work with Dr. Uzelac to do what makes the most sense for the end goal of our patients.
At MFC our goal is a baby. We approach surgery from a delicate lens and work together with our patients for the best outcome.
Surgeries are timed with complementary fertility treatments so there is no coordination between your fertility specialist and your surgeon. A mentor once told me, “the sign of a good surgeon is knowing when to put down the knife”… I love to operate but it has to make sense. We discuss all options and work with you to strive towards our ultimate goal… a baby in your arms.
smarter fertility surgery
Smarter fertility surgery means three things: leveraging modern instrumentation, appropriately-timing the procedure in relation to implantation and always maintaining a fertility focus to minimize complications. Here are some examples
Adhesions (Asherman Syndrome)
Old School
An unassisted single instrument poses higher surgical risk for complex hysteroscopic procedures due to an incomplete picture of the surgical field.
MFC
Intra operative ultrasound – guidance with the latest imaging technology provides a superior frame of reference for complex hysterocopic procedures.
Endometriosis surgery
Old School
Aggressive and not synchronized with implantation
MFC
Targeted and appropriately timed
Pregnancy loss surgery
Old School
Blind dilation and curettage. (Higher risk for post surgical scar tissue formation)
MFC
Pinpoint removal by hysteroscopy minimizes the risk of scar tissue formation after the procedure
Other surgeries for fertility
Uterine Polyps
Polyps are finger-like projections of tissue that occur in many hollow organs throughout the body. In the uterus, a polyp creates an inflammatory environment, interfering with normal embryo implantation. Removal of uterine polyps is accomplished by hysteroscopy. Timing is critical since polyps can return.
Fibroids
Fibroids are spherical growths of muscle tissue originating from the uterus. They are extremely common, occurring in one out of three women by the end of their reproductive lifespan. Fibroids can vary dramatically in size and location and only under certain circumstances do they interfere with reproduction.
Ovarian Cysts
An ovarian cyst is a spherical fluid collection encased by a layer of tissue. Some cysts are physiologic and will resolve by themselves with time. Persistent or odd-appearing cysts can interfere with normal ovarian function, are occasionally a sign of a serious disease and are customarily evaluated by surgery.
Uterine Anomalies (Mullerian defects)
Roughly 3-4% of infertile women were born with an anatomic variation in the development of their uterus. The most common is known as a uterine septum whereby a plane of tissue divides a variable portion of the uterine cavity into two compartments. Embryo implantation and growth are affected and surgical therapy is accomplished via hysteroscopy.