Dr Vimee Bindra is acclaimed for talent in Endometriosis Excisional Surgery. For her clinical acumen the young medical doctor was honored with prestigious Medical Awards including Young Clinician Award, Best emerging Gynecologist Award, Women Healthcare Leadership award and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Azad Memorial Excellence Award. An incisive researcher, this lady Surgeon has developed her own innovative models for Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy training. Dr Vimee has always shared with delight her exclusive knowledge and findings in Gynecology and Obstetrics to Medical students through related textbooks and has published well commended articles on medically vital topics. She believes, “for a medical doctor regular learning and a keen understanding of the scientific developments in progress is an absolute must. Along with the therapeutic knowledge, as a (medical) practitioner you need to be compassionate and considerate.” Dr Vimee Bindra holds MS medical degree from West Bengal University of Health Sciences. She was trained in minimally invasive surgery in France and Mumbai. She did her advanced fertility training in UK and Cosmetic Gynecology Fellowship certified by American Board in Dubai. In an exclusive interview with PNINews Dr Vimee Explains about the Endometriosis, a dreaded health disorder worrying millions of women across the world. Excerpts:
Being an Endometriosis Excisional Surgeon have you detected the cause of this ailment?
Although exact cause of endometriosis is not known but theory of mulleriosis by Dr David Redwine explains its existence. It’s interplay between genetics and epigenetics which is responsible for its causation. For ages it was believed it is caused by retrograde menstruation but it’s not correct, reflux menstruation can never explain its existence at extra-pelvic sites and if it was the cause why not every women gets it who menstruates? The cause of endometriosis might also be linked to environmental factors and changing lifestyle may be responsible for increasing prevalence of this disease.
Does endometriosis impact or impede female reproductively?
The endometriosis prevalence is 25-50% in women with infertility and 30-50% of women with endometriosis have infertility. Endometriosis affects fertility in various ways by distorting normal anatomy, producing scarring, and adhesions, involves fallopian tubes, causes inflammation, interferes with implantation and produces immunological changes. Women with endometriosis reportedly have low ovarian reserve, poor embryo quality and low implantation rates.
How do you educate women on Endometriosis?
Women education and awareness is very important as many myths related to periods are prevalent in our society. The most common myth “pain is normal during periods” does not let them seek medical care in time and by the time they seek medical care, the damage is already done to the reproductive organs and adjacent organs. We educate women by conducting awareness sessions and by inviting endometriosis survivors who can share their experience and it can be learning for others. Patient advocates play an important role in educating patients. In India concept of patient advocates is still not there but we are trying to introduce this concept so as to empower women with endometriosis in decision making with the help of patient advocates.
Effective cure/therapy for Endometriosis
There is no permanent cure for endometriosis but minimally invasive endometriosis excision surgery (either laparoscopic or robotic by endometriosis excision surgeon) is promising and gives good results in terms of improving quality of life and disease free interval. Various medical therapies are being widely used for endometriosis but they do not remove the disease, it might decrease your symptoms but the disease keeps on progressing silently.
About your innovative models for Laparoscopy; how is it different and more effective compared to the usual Laparoscopy?
These models are for training and teaching the right technique of surgery and suturing for doctors/gynecologists in minimally invasive gynecology.
How is minimally invasive surgery different from normal surgical procedures?
Minimally invasive surgery is a technique of operating by various modalities where it causes less damage to the human body as compared to open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery causes less pain, shorter hospital stay, less blood loss and fewer complications. Laparoscopy is done through one or more small incisions using small tubes and cameras with the help of a video monitor. Robotic surgery is another type of minimally invasive surgery which provides more precision, flexibility and surgeon control and 3D view with depth perception of the surgical site (please note surgery is done by the surgeon only and not the robot, many patients believe robotic surgery means it’s done by robot. It’s a tool which is operated by the surgeon).
How does Cosmetic gynecology help women to maintain their appearance?
This is an umbrella terminology for a wide range of popular surgical corrections and enhancement procedures done on genitalia. With ageing, pregnancy and childbearing there are changes in the internal and external structure of vagina which may produce changes in appearance and response to stimulus. Cosmetic gynecology aims to improve the physical appearance or function of labia, clitoris and vagina. It involves both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
