Infertility Surgery
Dr. Rakoff is a founding charter member of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons (SRS) of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). He has performed over 8,000 infertility surgeries. He is a teacher and expert in laser laparoscopy and complex hysteroscopy procedures. Because of minimal discomfort and enhanced convenience, most of our patients go home on the day of surgery.
Dr. Rakoff is the only Fertility specialist working at Scripps Clinic-Green Hospital and the Scripps Clinic ambulatory surgical Centers at Carmel Valley and Rancho Bernardo. Dr. Rakoff can perform your surgical procedure either in the Ambulatory Surgical suite at his office in Del Mar, in the Scripps Clinic Hospital, or in the surgical centers in Carmel Valley and Rancho Bernardo.
Hysteroscopy is utilized to diagnose and treat abnormalities within the uterus. Hysteroscopy can be used to remove uterine fibroids (myomas), polyps, scar tissue, uterine malformations, such as septums, or to treat abnormal bleeding and other reproductive conditions. Hysteroscopy is performed with a thin telescope that is inserted through the cervix into the uterus. The operative hysteroscope is designed so that instruments can be placed inside the scope to remove tissue samples for biopsies or to remove fibroids, polyps or tumors.
During the procedure, the uterus is filled with fluid, such as saline or glycine, to distend it so that Dr. Rakoff can see inside. The procedure is usually mildly uncomfortable. A woman can usually return to her normal activities in 1-2 days.
Laparoscopy is used to remove pathology and restore normal anatomy. A laparoscope is a thin, fiber-optic telescope attached to a video camera. The laparoscope is inserted through a small incision generally, but not alway,s in the naval. After the incision is made and the laparoscope inserted, the surgeon looks at the pelvis and assesses the anatomy. The surgeon may place additional incisions with additional instruments in order to remove an abnormal cyst, excise/laser endometriosis, remove myomas or treat an abnormal fallopian tube.
The major benefit of laparoscopic surgery is that it on requires a few small incisions, meaning less pain and external scarring, and healing is faster than traditional, open surgery. Most women can resume normal activities in 3-7 days.
