Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in Telde and Las Palmas: advanced gynecological treatments at Ginelux

There are times when the usual tests are not enough to understand what is going on inside your body, and that can be a turning point fraught with uncertainty. Gynecological laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are two procedures that allow specialists to see, diagnose and treat from the inside, with a precision that was unthinkable a few years ago. At Ginelux, a reference clinic in Telde and with patients from all over Gran Canaria, this type of minimally invasive surgery is part of the daily routine of the medical team, with the aim that each woman receives the answer and the treatment she needs without having to go through conventional operating rooms or long recoveries.

What is gynecologic laparoscopy and why does it matter?

The gynecological laparoscopic surgery is a technique that allows the gynecologist to explore and act on the organs of the pelvis and abdomen without the need to make a large incision. Very fine instruments are introduced through small openings in the abdomen and, with the help of a tiny camera called a laparoscope, the specialist has a direct view of the interior.

What used to require an open surgery with days of hospitalization, today can be solved in the same morning or with an overnight stay. The advantages are not only aesthetic, although the scars are also minimal. Recovery is faster, the risk of infection is lower and the woman can return to her normal life in a significantly shorter time.

When is laparoscopy used in gynecology?

This type of intervention is indicated in a wide variety of situations. Some of the most frequent are the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, the resolution of ovarian cysts that do not remit with medical treatment, the removal of fibroids in certain locations, the study of infertility when other tests have given no response, or tubal ligation as a definitive contraceptive method.

It is also used in cases of ectopic pregnancy, in the treatment of some prolapses or to remove adhesions between organs. In all these cases, laparoscopy offers the gynecologist a direct view that no ultrasound or MRI can provide on its own.

At Ginelux, the medical team formed by Dr. Ramón Santana García, medical director and specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, together with Dr. Mónica Álvarez Sánchez, Dr. Eleazar Bravo Moreno, Dr. Elena Torres Castellano, Dr. Rosa Rodríguez de la Mano, Dr. Lucía González Sánchez and Dr. Marta de Luis, assesses each case individually before indicating any intervention. There is no standard indication for all patients, because each woman and each pathology are different.

What is hysteroscopy and what is it used for?

The hysteroscopic surgery is another minimally invasive procedure, but in this case the specialist accesses the inside of the uterus through the cervix, without the need for any external incision. A hysteroscope is used, which is a thin instrument with a small camera on the end, which allows direct visualization of the inside of the uterus.

There are two main modalities. Diagnostic hysteroscopy, which is used to see what is happening inside the uterus without acting on it, and operative hysteroscopy, which allows the problem to be identified and treated at the same time in the same operation.

Situations in which hysteroscopy is indicated

It is a very frequent test and treatment in the context of current gynecology. It is used when there are abnormal uterine bleedings whose cause is not clear with an ultrasound, when the presence of endometrial polyps or submucous myomas is suspected, when there is difficulty in getting pregnant or there have been repeated miscarriages without apparent cause, and also for the removal of intrauterine devices that are difficult to access or for the study of the endometrium in the presence of certain clinical signs.

One of its great advantages is that in many cases it can be performed on an outpatient basis, without general anesthesia or with mild sedation, which greatly simplifies the process for the patient and reduces recovery time to practically zero.

Differences between laparoscopy and hysteroscopy: how does the gynecologist know which one you need?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by women who come for consultation and who have a test of this type pending. The short answer is that it depends on where the problem is.

Hysteroscopy works inside the uterus. If symptoms or previous tests point to the origin being in the uterine cavity, cervix or endometrium, hysteroscopy is probably the appropriate tool. Laparoscopy, on the other hand, works outside the uterus but inside the pelvis and abdomen. When the problem might be in the ovaries, tubes, peritoneum or endometriosis is suspected, laparoscopy offers a view that would otherwise be impossible.

In many cases, the decision is not exclusive. There are clinical situations in which both techniques are performed in combination in the same intervention, allowing pathologies that affect different structures simultaneously to be addressed.

At Ginelux, the previous evaluation always includes a detailed medical history, a gynecological examination and a transvaginal ultrasound, in addition to the analyses and complementary tests that each case requires. Only with all this information can the team recommend the most appropriate technique.

How is the process at Ginelux: from the first consultation to recovery?

Understanding what the journey will be like from the time you arrive at the clinic until you return to your normal life can help to greatly reduce the anxiety that often accompanies these processes.

Prior consultation

The first step is always a gynecological consultation in which the specialist listens to the symptoms, reviews the medical history and performs the necessary examinations. From that first visit, a decision is made as to whether further study is needed and whether any of these techniques are indicated. This phase is essential because it allows the team to tailor the procedure to each individual patient.

The preparation

Depending on the type of procedure and the need for anesthesia, preoperative tests such as blood work, electrocardiogram or anesthetic assessment are performed. In the case of outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy, preparation may be minimal. In more complex laparoscopic procedures, the protocol is more complete, but it is always clearly explained from the beginning.

The procedure

Both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are performed in a surgical environment with all the guarantees. The duration varies depending on the complexity of the intervention, but in general we speak of procedures ranging from 20 minutes to just over an hour for the most extensive cases.

Recovery

This is one of the most worrying aspects for patients and also one of the most positive aspects of these techniques. In outpatient hysteroscopy, many women return home a few hours later without the need for special rest. In laparoscopy, recovery usually ranges from one to two weeks for procedures of medium complexity, with mild discomfort that is well controlled with conventional medication.

You can see all the information about the surgeries available at Ginelux on our website.

Ginelux: advanced gynecology near you in Gran Canaria

One of the obstacles that many women encounter when they need this type of procedure is the distance or the belief that only in large hospitals are they performed with guarantees. At Ginelux, located in Telde but with patients coming from all over the island, including Las Palmas, Vecindario, Agaete, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and other areas of Gran Canaria, these interventions are performed in a specialized, close and personalized environment.

Having a gynecological clinic in Telde means that many women from the south of the island, the metropolitan area and more distant areas such as Agaete do not have to travel outside Gran Canaria to access procedures that until recently were only offered in larger centers.

The team of Ginelux general gynecology accompanies each patient from the first consultation until discharge, with real follow-up and the possibility of resolving doubts at each stage of the process.

When to make an appointment: signs not to be ignored

There are symptoms that should not be overlooked and may be indicating that it is time to request a gynecological evaluation that goes beyond the usual annual check-up.

Bleeding between periods or after menopause is one of them. Persistent pelvic pain that cannot be explained by obvious causes, difficulty in getting pregnant after a year of attempts, repeated miscarriages with no known cause, or the feeling that something is not right even though the usual tests show nothing, are valid and sufficient reasons to ask for a specialized consultation.

It may also be the right time if you have received a previous diagnosis of fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts or polyps, and it is not clear whether they require treatment or which would be the most appropriate. Ginelux specialists assess each situation rigorously and without haste, explaining the options clearly so that each woman can make informed decisions.

Frequently asked questions about laparoscopy and hysteroscopy

Contact the Ginelux team through our web page at contact to request your appointment with the gynecologist or resolve any questions. We are in Telde, and we attend patients from all over Gran Canaria.