Dr Liebmann carries out surgery at the Evangelisches Waldkrankenhaus Spandau, in cooperation with Dr Thomas Prehn, formerly senior hospital consultant. Procedures include the following inpatient and outpatient surgery:
- Dilatation & curettage Dilatation means gently stretching the opening in the cervix with special instruments. Curettage means passing a special scraping instrument through the opening into the body of the womb and scraping out some of the lining of the uterus for examination or as part of an abortion procedure.
- Hysteroscopy Examination of the inside of the womb (uterus) using a small camera called a hysteroscope. This allows a detailed view of the ends of the fallopian tubes and the cervix. During the procedure the doctor may also take a biopsy – a small sample of tissue – for examination in the laboratory.
- Laparoscopy In contrast to open surgery this method does not require a large incision. Instead, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to create space in which the surgeon can operate. The operation is performed by inserting a miniature camera and special instruments through separate very small incisions around the navel and groin areas. The advantages of this technique include less scarring and pain and a shorter hospital stay.
- Cone biopsy A cone-shaped sample of tissue is removed from the cervix to be examined in detail. This is carried out in the event that an earlier smear test has shown some abnormal cells on the neck of the womb.
- Laparoscopic surgery Laparoscopy during which surgical procedures are performed, such as removal of adhesions and scar tissue, ovarian cysts or the entire ovary.
- Vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy Removal of the uterus through an incision in the vagina or in the abdomen.
- Laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy ("laser" hysterectomy) Removal of the uterus through vaginal hysterectomy but with the aid of a laparoscope, thus avoiding a large incision and the associated pain and scarring.
- Prolapse surgery Surgical treatment for vaginal prolapse.
- Incontinence surgery Surgical treatment for urinary incontinence, for instance insertion of a meshlike tape, which is placed under the urethra (tension-free vaginal tape, TVT).
After outpatient surgery you should be able to return home straight-away, although we recommend that someone accompanies you. More major operations will require a hospital stay in the Waldkrankenhaus Spandau, where you will be looked after by hospital staff and will also receive follow-up visits by Dr Liebmann or Dr Prehn.
