Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Center

The Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) Center at Massachusetts General Hospital brings together nationally recognized surgeons from every gynecologic discipline, including the Mass General Cancer Center. Each member of our team is dedicated to providing individualized, minimally invasive surgery options to diagnose and treat the full range of gynecologic conditions and improve our patients’ quality of life.

Minimally Invasive, Personalized Treatment

Minimally invasive surgical procedures are associated with significantly less blood loss during surgery, less scarring, less postoperative pain and faster recovery than traditional open surgery. This allows patients to recover faster and return to their lives and daily activities with improved quality of life.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Treating the Full Range of Conditions

Depending on your personal history and symptoms, our expert physicians may recommend one or a combination of minimally invasive treatments to address your individual condition. The MIGS Center team treats gynecologic conditions including:

• Bleeding issues, including abnormal bleeding, heavy or abnormal periods (menorrhagia), and peri- or post-menopausal bleeding
• Cervical or endometrial polyps
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic relaxation/prolapse
• Bladder prolapse (cystocele), rectal prolapse (rectocele), uterine or vaginal prolapse
• Gynecologic cancers
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Mild to severe endometriosis
• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• Pelvic pain and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Pelvic scar tissue (adhesions)
• Ovarian cysts and pelvic masses
• Simple or complex ovarian cysts
• Teratomas/dermoids
• Tubo-ovarian abscess
• Urinary incontinence

What to Expect

New patients at the Mass General MIGS Center will be paired with a multidisciplinary team of physicians and surgeons. Our consultation process involves a thorough discussion of treatment options, both innovative and traditional, that are uniquely suited to address individual conditions and medical history. Our patients are integral members of their care teams. Patients work directly with their physicians to develop an optimal treatment plan. Patient questions and feedback are an important part of each visit.

We also welcome patients and physicians who are seeking a second opinion on treatment options for any gynecologic condition.

Procedures We Offer

Depending on your personal history and symptoms, your multidisciplinary team of physicians and surgeons may recommend one or a combination of the following minimally invasive treatments to address your individual condition.

Hysteroscopic procedures

Hysteroscopy is a technique for visually examining the inside of the uterus and treating a variety of intra-uterine conditions without making incisions. A long, thin telescope-like instrument (called a hysteroscope) is inserted through the vagina and cervix. A small video camera attached to the end of the telescope gives the doctor a magnified view on a video monitor.

Laparoscopic Procedures

Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive, video-guided technique. Instead of making a large incision through the skin and underlying muscles (called laparotomy), a laparoscopic procedure requires three to four small incisions: one for a long, narrow telescope with a camera attached, and two or three others for the instruments needed to perform a procedure. 

Robotic procedures

Robotic surgery is a type of laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes three to four small incisions: one for a magnified, high-definition 3-D camera that guides the surgeon during the procedure, and two or three others for the robotic instruments that allow the surgeon maximum range of motion and surgical precision. The surgeon controls the instruments and the camera from a console located next to the patient in the operating room.

Vaginal surgery is a procedure that is performed within the vagina to remove the uterus, cervix or ovaries and tubes; repair the vaginal tissue that supports the bladder, rectum and uterus; or repair leakage of urine (called stress urinary incontinence). The procedures are performed vaginally so there are no abdominal incisions:

• Cystocele & rectocele repair
• Tension-free vaginal tape for stress urinary incontinence
• Uterine/vaginal resuspension (uteropexy, sacrocolpopexy)