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Midwest Reproductive Center

Fertility Surgery

Enlist a Reproductive Surgery Specialist at Midwest Reproductive Center

Without fertility surgery, a blocked fallopian tube, uterine septum or severe endometriosis may prevent you from conceiving on your own. Dr. Dan Gehlbach brings more than two decades of surgical experience, including fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, to each fertility procedure at Midwest Reproductive Center.

Most infertility cases — 85 to 90 percent — are treated with conventional medical therapies such as medication or surgery, so you will want to choose a seasoned fertility specialist to help you achieve a pregnancy.

Dr. Gehlbach’s goal for fertility surgery is to correct the problem so that couples can get pregnant without further intervention. In some cases, a combination of surgery and fertility medication and/or assisted reproductive technologies (ARTS) will lead to a successful outcome.

Fertility Surgery for Women

You likely know that infertility is caused by male factors in half of cases, and female factors in the other half.

For women: Dr. Gehlbach will progress through a series of testing protocols that include intrauterine hysteroscopy and abdominal laparoscopy, minimally invasive procedures performed by fertility specialists or obgyns.

For men: A urologist will perform surgeries associated with male infertility, such as varicocele repair and vasectomy reversal.

Dr. Gehlbach concentrates on reproductive surgery for women, and specializes in minimally invasive techniques to view the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. With minimally invasive fertility surgery, you can expect less pain and recovery time than traditional ‘open’ surgery.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Options for Treating Female Infertility

Abdominal Laparoscopy

With laparoscopic fertility surgery, 2-3 tiny keyhole incisions in the abdomen and pelvic area allow Dr. Gehlbach to diagnose and treat causes of female infertility such as endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes and fibroids. One incision allows access for the telescopic instrument, and the others provide a way to maneuver in and around the organs. The surgical team pipes in medical grade carbon dioxide to inflate the belly so Dr. Gehlbach can get a better view of the surgical area.

42 percent of women that have fibroid surgery get pregnant without additional fertility treatment.

Intrauterine Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a technique that does not require incisions. Dr. Gehlbach dilates the cervix and uses a telescopic tool to view the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose and treat uterine septums and polyps, test the patency (openness) of the fallopian tubes and remove small fibroids inside the uterine cavity.

Some situations require a more comprehensive access and view of the pelvic cavity. Open surgery, called abdominal laparotomy, is sometimes necessary to remove large fibroids or pelvic masses that can’t be removed with a laparoscopic procedure.

Your diagnosis will determine the course of action, but Dr. Gehlbach may recommend fertility surgery to diagnose and repair these causes of female infertility:

  • Blocked fallopian tubes
  • Ovarian cysts or endometriomas
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids
  • Hydrosalpinges (damaged Fallopian tubes)
  • Pelvic adhesions
  • Uterine polyps
  • Septums & scarring of the uterine cavity

Fertility surgery is a proven choice for neutralizing problems that interfere with embryo implantation, ruin the endometrial lining or block the fallopian tubes. Female infertility surgery also provides access to the fallopian tubes or uterus to correct anatomical barriers to pregnancy.

Dr. Gehlbach will employ skilled surgical techniques to achieve the best possible success rate for natural cycle conception, or subsequent fertility treatment, including ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Many women assume they will need to undergo in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to get pregnant. Actually, fertility surgery is the protocol of choice twice as often as IVF.