Reproductive surgery
Breaking barriers with minimally invasive surgery for infertility
At Penn Medicine, board-certified specialists in reproductive endocrinology, urology, and fertility offer integrated care and renowned expertise in reproductive surgery. They provide an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan based on your specific condition.
We offer the latest procedures to treat a range of conditions that cause infertility, including laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, and hysteroscopic techniques. Minimally invasive procedures use small incisions and enable a faster recovery with less pain.
Conditions we treat
Reproductive surgery for female infertility
Female infertility can have many causes. In some cases, we can treat infertility with medications or assisted reproduction services. Sometimes, surgery may be the best treatment option. When conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts interfere with your ability to conceive, our experts offer advanced reproductive surgical techniques.
Many procedures are performed with minimally invasive surgery. Techniques may include laparoscopy. Both involve the surgeon guiding a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera (laparoscope or hysteroscope) to the affected reproductive organ. But one requires incisions (cuts) and the other doesn’t.
- Laparoscopy: Your surgeon makes small incisions in your belly. They insert the scope in one incision and surgical tools in the others. Or, our surgeons may instead use robotic instruments they control from a nearby console. Robotic-assisted surgery enables the surgeon to operate with greater precision.
- Hysteroscopy: This technique doesn’t require any incisions. Your surgeon guides the scope through your vagina into your uterus. They insert small surgical instruments through the scope to treat problems in the uterus.
Surgical care for female infertility includes:
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines your uterus grows outside your uterus. Many people with endometriosis can get pregnant without treatment. However, the condition can cause infertility if the tissue blocks your fallopian tubes or forms scar tissue. If you have endometriosis and are struggling to conceive, we may recommend laparoscopic surgery to remove the tissue.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that form on the walls of your uterus. They can cause fertility issues like recurrent pregnancy loss. If you need surgery to remove fibroids, we offer specialized treatment at the Penn Center for Integrated Fibroid Care. Our team can remove fibroids using traditional laparoscopy, robotic-assisted laparoscopy, or hysteroscopy. We may recommend a traditional open surgical approach for large or numerous fibroids.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form on or in your ovaries. Usually, these cysts go away on their own and don’t require treatment. In rare cases, ovarian cysts can interfere with pregnancy or delivery. We may recommend laparoscopic surgery to remove a large cyst, especially if it causes symptoms.
Sometimes, people are born with malformations of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or vagina. When abnormalities in these reproductive organs cause infertility, our experts can surgically repair them. We use minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, whenever possible.
Previous surgery, infection, or conditions like endometriosis can leave scar tissue in your pelvis or uterus. Scar tissue can block your fallopian tubes or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in your uterus. If our specialists determine scar tissue is causing infertility, we may recommend laparoscopy or hysteroscopy to remove the scar tissue.
Uterus transplant at Penn Medicine
People with uterine factor infertility (UFI) may be able to carry and deliver a child through a uterus transplant. The Uterine Transplantation for Uterine Factor Infertility (UNTIL) trial at Penn Medicine was the first of its kind in the Northeast.
Reproductive surgery for male infertility
Causes of male infertility include conditions that reduce sperm production or interfere with the release of sperm. When this happens, our urologic surgeons can recommend an appropriate procedure, including:
- Surgical sperm extraction: For cases of azoospermia (lack of sperm in semen), your provider can extract sperm directly from your testicles. We can freeze and bank the sperm for future fertility treatments.
- Varicocelectomy: Varicoceles can cause infertility in men. A varicocelectomy repairs varicoceles by sealing off the swollen veins and directing blood flow to other veins.
- Vasectomy reversal: If you had a previous vasectomy to prevent pregnancy, our specialists can perform a vasectomy reversal. Your surgeon creates an opening or connection in the tubes that carry sperm from your testicles to enable the release of sperm.
Our doctors
Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.
Locations
Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.