Back to top anchor

Brought to you by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora – Southern and WellSouth primary health network

Open main menu Close main menu

Southern Cross Invercargill Hospital - Gynaecology

On this page

    Southern Cross' Invercargill hospital was originally established in 1919. It was bequeathed to Southern Cross in 1992 - and a new hospital was built and completed in August 1994.

    The hospital is a top class facility in a very pleasant inner city location, situated opposite Queens Park.

    Our hospital offers patients quality care and features comfortable patient rooms with pleasant surroundings and close by cafes for family and support people to access.

    Our promise is a quality-driven and friendly service and we offer our patients excellent, modern facilities, and access to a range of elective surgical and specialist services including general surgery, gynaecological surgery, breast surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, gastroenterology and endoscopy services, urology and vascular surgery.

    Practitioners

    • Mr Benjamin Sharp

      Mr Benjamin Sharp

      Gynaecologist
    • Mr John Short

      Mr John Short

      Gynaecologist
    • Mr Richard Dover

      Mr Richard Dover

      Gynaecologist
    • Mr Simon Jones

      Mr Simon Jones

      Gynaecologist
    • Dr Kate Van Harselaar

      Dr Kate Van Harselaar

      Fertility Specialist, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
    • Mr Jim Faherty

      Mr Jim Faherty

      Gynaecologist
    • Mr Michael Stitely

      Mr Michael Stitely

      Gynaecologist
    Procedures

    Cervical Dysplasia Treatment

    Lletz (Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone) A thin wire loop that has an electrical current running through it is used to scrape abnormal cells from the cervix.   Laser Treatment of the Cervix A laser beam (high energy light) is used to destroy abnormal cells of the cervix.   Cone Biopsy of the Cervix A cone of tissue is surgically removed from the cervix for examination in the laboratory.

    Colposcopy

    A speculum is inserted into your vagina, as for a pap smear, and the light from a small microscope (colposcope) is focused on to the cervix. Special staining solutions are painted onto the cervix which show up abnormal cells. A biopsy (small tissue sample) may be taken to examine in the laboratory.

    Colposuspension

    Incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) to allow access to your bladder. The vagina is lifted and attached to the pelvis wall, allowing the bladder neck to be supported, thus correcting urine leakage.

    Cystourethroscopy

    A long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached (cytoscope) is inserted into the urinary opening and through your urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body) to your bladder. This allows the urologist to view any abnormalities in your lower urinary tract and, if necessary, take a small tissue sample to look at under the microscope (biopsy).

    Dilatation and Curettage (D&C)

    Metal dilators are inserted through your vagina and used to widen the opening to the uterus. A curette (an instrument with a flat metal loop at one end) is then used to scrape the lining of the uterus.

    Endometriosis Treatment

    Laparoscopic: an incision (cut) is made near your navel (tummy button) and a thin tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted, allowing the surgeon a view of the internal organs. If endometriosis is being treated, small instruments are introduced through several small cuts in the lower abdomen and endometrial tissue is destroyed using an electric current or laser beam.   Abdominal (laparotomy): if endometriosis is very widespread, an incision is made in the abdomen, opening up the abdominal cavity so that the endometrial tissue can be removed.

    Hysterectomy

    Abdominal: an incision (cut) is made in your the abdomen (stomach) and the uterus removed.   Vaginal: an incision is made in your vagina and the uterus removed through the vagina.   Laparoscopic: several small incisions are made in your abdomen and a thin tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) inserted along with instruments that cut the connections of the uterus, allowing it to be removed through the vagina.

    Hysteroscopy

    A speculum is inserted into your vagina, as for a pap smear, and a long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached (hysteroscope) is placed into the vagina and moved through into the uterus. This allows the surgeon to see inside the uterus and may, in some cases, show the reason for conditions such as infertility or pelvic pain. A hysteroscope may also be used to remove fibroids or polyps or to take a biopsy (small sample of tissue) for examination in the laboratory.

    Laparoscopic Colporrhaphy

    Anterior: an incision (cut) is made in your navel (tummy button) and several small cuts in the abdomen (stomach). A thin telescopic instrument (laparoscope) and several small instruments are inserted into the cuts and used to tighten up the front wall of the vagina to repair a cystocele (bulging of the bladder into the vaginal wall).   Posterior:  an incision is made in your navel and several small cuts in the abdomen. A laparoscope and several small instruments are inserted into the cuts and used to tighten up the back wall of the vagina to repair a rectocele (bulging of the rectum into the vaginal wall).

    Myomectomy

    Laparoscopic: an incision (cut) is made in your navel (tummy button) and several small cuts in the abdomen (stomach). A thin telescopic instrument (laparoscope) and several small instruments are inserted into the cuts and moved through into the uterus allowing the surgeon to view the fibroids. Small fibroids can then be removed either by introducing small surgical tools to cut them away or by vaporising them with a laser or electric current. For large fibroids, an incision is made across your abdomen and the fibroids are cut out of the uterus.   Hysteroscopic: a speculum is inserted into your vagina, as for a pap smear, and a long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached (hysteroscope) is placed into the vagina and moved through into the uterus. This allows the surgeon to see inside the uterus and remove the fibroids.

    Oophorectomy

    Laparascopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in your abdomen (stomach) and a thin tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) inserted, allowing the surgeon a view of the ovaries. Small surgical instruments are introduced through the other cuts and are used to remove the ovary and tie off the fallopian tube.   Abdominal: an incision is made in the abdomen, the ovary is surgically removed and the fallopian tube tied off.

    Ovarian Cystectomy

    Several small incisions (cuts) are made in your abdomen (stomach) and a thin tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) inserted, allowing the surgeon a view of your ovaries. Small instruments are inserted through the cuts and into the ovaries, where they remove the cysts.

    Pelvic Floor Repair

    An incision (cut) is made in your navel (tummy button) and several small cuts in the abdomen (stomach). A thin telescopic instrument (laparoscope) is inserted through your navel, allowing the surgeon a view of the pelvic floor. Small instruments are inserted into the cuts that can lift the prolapsed or sagging organs back into position and reattach them.

    Pubo-vaginal Sling

    Small incisions (cuts) are made in your lower abdomen (stomach) and in the front wall of the vagina. Synthetic tissue is inserted to form a supportive sling under the urethra at the bladder neck to prevent urine leakage.

    Salpingectomy

    Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in your abdomen (stomach) and a thin tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) inserted, allowing the surgeon a view of your fallopian tubes. Small surgical instruments are introduced through the other cuts and are used to remove part or all of the fallopian tube.

    Abdominal (laparotomy): an incision is made in your abdomen and part or all of the fallopian tube is removed.

    Vulval Biopsy or Excision

    A sample of tissue (biopsy) is surgically removed from a lesion (area of damaged tissue) on your vulva. If the lesion is cut out completely, the procedure is called an excision.