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.

A colposcopy is a detailed examination of the cervix (entrance to the uterus) with a specially lit microscope (colposcope). As with a cervical smear, an instrument called a speculum is inserted into the vagina, and then the colposcope is inserted with its light directed on the cervix. A specialist will perform a colposcopy if your cervical smear has shown abnormal or cancerous cells on the cervix. During the colposcopy further samples of tissue (biopsies) are usually removed and examined in the laboratory so the doctor can get a clearer idea of the extent of the abnormal cells.

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.

A speculum is inserted into your vagina, as for a cervical 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.

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).

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.

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.