Frequently Asked Questions

Professional anesthesia is essential during the surgical procedure. At Mint Hospital, two board-certified anesthesiologists are on staff as regular personnel to assist with the surgery from start to finish.

It is possible. Mint Hospital is equipped with two models, the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery X and the Da Vinci Single-Port Robotic Surgery SP, allowing us to perform robotic surgery tailored to each patient.
In addition, unlike university hospitals that apply robotic equipment to various diseases, we use it only for surgeries related to women's diseases.

Robotic surgery combines the advantages of both open surgery and laparoscopic surgery.
Open surgery involves a large incision but allows for precise treatment. However, it results in significant blood loss and a long recovery period.
Laparoscopic surgery treats lesions with minimal incisions, resulting in faster recovery and smaller wounds, but it has limited access.
Robotic surgery is a treatment method that enables precise treatment possible in open surgery through minimal incisions, similar to laparoscopy.
In addition, there is less bleeding, the wound area is small, and post-operative suturing is more precise than by human hands.
There is an advantage in that a more complete surgery is possible through improved visibility via a high-resolution 3D camera, joint function, and the elimination of hand tremors.

Robotic surgery is a surgical method in which the robot does not perform the treatment itself, but rather the doctor operates a console using the robot's body (magnified field of view, multiple robotic arms, and a rotating wrist joint) to perform the treatment.
A high-resolution 3D camera, clearer than the human eye, expands the field of view and
Since the surgeon directly operates the camera and multiple robotic arms, the accuracy of the treatment is high, and
Wrist joint function enables access to deeper and more difficult locations, allowing for surgeries with a higher level of completeness compared to conventional methods.

Before menopause, cysts may appear and disappear as hormones are released from the ovaries, so you do not need to worry too much.
However, since hormones are not produced after menopause, ovarian cysts do not easily form, and
For this reason, if a lump develops after menopause, a thorough examination is necessary as there is a possibility that it is a malignant lump such as cancer.

The primary treatment for uterine fibroids is surgery (robotic, laparoscopic, hysteroscopic), but
Depending on the patient's situation or the condition of the uterine fibroids, non-surgical treatment (uterine artery embolization) is also possible.
In cases of excessively large uterine fibroids, surgery is sometimes performed after reducing the volume of the fibroid using embolization to minimize the incision (hybrid treatment).
Since each patient has different preferred treatments or circumstances, the direction of treatment is determined after sufficient consultation.

Endometriosis affects young women—especially if they are planning to become pregnant and give birth,
If there are no symptoms and the size is not large, drug treatment is sometimes attempted first without surgery.
If the shape is unsightly or the size is too large for drug treatment to be effective, we may recommend surgery first.

Vaginal ultrasound, used during the diagnosis of uterine fibroids, allows for the identification of the location and number of fibroids.
However, we recommend a pelvic MRI scan before surgery or procedures, as it is necessary to check the characteristics of uterine fibroids and their relationship with surrounding organs.

For general gynecological conditions (menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding, etc.), you can visit the clinic after your period has ended, but if you have recurrent irregular bleeding and want to know the cause, it is easier to identify the cause while the bleeding is in progress.
Tests can be performed even during bleeding, so we recommend visiting the clinic immediately if you experience irregular bleeding.

There is no problem with the third dose if you get vaccinated again within one year of the last dose.

Since the vaccine components are the same, it is fine to receive the second or third dose at a different hospital than where you originally received the injection.

Depending on the medication, you may have your period even while taking hormone medication.
However, if the medication prevents you from having your period while taking it, you must visit a hospital for a medical examination.

A standard basic OB/GYN examination is a transvaginal ultrasound, but
If you have no experience with sexual intercourse or severe pain, it can be replaced with a pelvic MRI.
You can also receive a pelvic MRI scan if a more precise examination is required (for diagnostic purposes or before and after surgery).

You may bring test results from other hospitals, and the results are valid if the test was conducted within the last month.

Flying after a varicocele embolization procedure is not a major concern.
Therefore, if your schedule is urgent, you can board as soon as possible based on the results of the medical consultation.
If you have some spare time, it would be good to rest for about a week.

During varicocele embolization, platinum coils are inserted into the problematic blood vessels, but
This platinum coil does not affect imaging tests such as X-ray, CT, and MRI, and does not cause any internal pain or abnormalities.
Therefore, MRI scans are possible even after the embolization procedure.
However, since platinum coils are visible in the images during the imaging examination, please inform the medical staff whether platinum coils have been inserted before the examination.

While it is possible to remove platinum coils inserted during embolization, it is difficult to do so non-surgically and can only be removed surgically.
In addition, the improvement in varicocele is due to the occlusion of the blood vessels by platinum coils.
Performing surgery to remove this is ultimately no different from performing surgery.
Since platinum coils remain permanently in the body after embolization, it is advisable to consider this when deciding on treatment.

Generally, the hard mass felt immediately after the procedure is a hardened blood vessel.
Over time, the blood vessels will contract and become unaffected, so you do not need to worry.

Treatment for varicocele is a method of blocking blood flow by cutting or blocking the problematic blood vessels that are causing reflux.
Among them, cutting and ligating blood vessels is 'surgery,' while blocking them with coils and sclerosants is 'embolization.'
Since there are countless blood vessels in the body, cutting or blocking a problematic vessel does not significantly affect blood circulation.
Rather, varicose veins can be improved by blocking blood vessels that are unable to flow smoothly and are congested. The treatment of varicose veins in the legs follows the same principle.

Generally, pain in the left lower abdomen, lower back, and back may occur for about 2 to 3 days after varicocele embolization.
This is pain caused by the constriction of blood vessels as they are bonded with a sclerosing agent to stop the reflux.
Although some individuals may rarely experience discomfort for up to 2 to 3 weeks, pain is almost never caused by problems with the procedure.
However, complex pain caused by other testicular (scrotal) or prostate diseases may not be completely resolved.

The reason blood vessels in the scrotum expand is that venous blood flows backward, causing them to expand like a balloon.
Once reflux is completely blocked after the procedure, the dilated blood vessels will shrink over time, and
After about a month, it improves to the point where it is almost impossible to tell by touch.
However, dilated blood vessels do not return to completely normal, and expanded vessels may be visible during ultrasound examinations.

The platinum coil, an embolizing material (a soft thread-like material containing platinum), adheres tightly to the inner wall of the blood vessel and is fixed.
The recently developed coil is specially treated and does not move as the blood coagulates, so there is no inconvenience in daily life.

Based on data from 20 to 30 years ago, some on the internet claim that the recurrence rate of embolization is high, but
Over the past decade or so, due to advancements in platinum thread and sclerosant double blockade, embolization materials, and angiography equipment, the recurrence rate is currently reported to be around 2–5%.
Since the risk of side effects from general anesthesia and complications such as testicular atrophy and hydrocele is lower, please consider this aspect when making your choice.

Due to the nature of interventional procedures, angiography equipment is used to visualize the shape of blood vessels, and radiation is generated during this process.
The radiation dose is approximately 0.5 to 1 mSv, which is equivalent to the dose of one lumbar X-ray and is lower than that of a CT scan.
In addition, it is for imaging purposes only and is unrelated to direct radiation therapy.

The coils used for varicocele embolization are in the form of platinum threads and are made of a very soft material.
Therefore, the coil itself cannot puncture a blood vessel.
The reason for post-procedure pain is that the sclerosant adheres the blood vessels, and it is not closely related to the coils.
In the case of hardening agents, they decompose and are excreted in urine.

In the case of varicose veins, it is reported that statistically, there is usually a 5-10% chance of recurrence 5 years after treatment.
However, if you have genetically weak veins, there is a high likelihood of developing varicose veins in other parts of the body.
Varicose veins often recur in the untreated leg, and
In patients who have undergone treatment for varicose veins, varicocele or pelvic congestion syndrome may develop, or vice versa.

Varicose vein treatment is not a surgery that involves skin incision, but uses high-temperature heat or
Because adhesive materials with potential allergy-inducing properties are used, and curing procedures cause vascular pain, etc.
Mint Hospital recommends specialist observation through hospitalization for at least 6 hours.

Because varicose veins develop in veins close to the skin
Diagnosis is possible sufficiently with Doppler ultrasound without the need for expensive CT or MRI scans.
In particular, the diagnosis of a radiologist who has trained with imaging examinations and diagnosis as their primary specialty is accurate.

Venous circulation enhancers help veins become stronger by inhibiting the excessive stretching or weakening of vein walls.
In some cases, the improvement in symptoms is maintained for a considerable period after taking the medication for a long time.
However, it is merely a symptom reliever and not a fundamental cure, so if symptoms persist for a long time, you must visit a hospital.

If one of the parents has varicose veins, there is a high likelihood that their child will also develop them.
If both parents have varicose veins, the probability of their child developing them is particularly high.

Even if a narrowed dialysis blood vessel is widened, it will inevitably narrow again over time.
This is because the high pressure applied to the vein walls and the large volume of blood continuously irritate that area, and the rate at which it narrows again varies from person to person.
In addition, even in the same person, there are cases where the results last for a long time after the first procedure, but the interval between recurrences gradually shortens.
As time passes, blood vessels gradually thicken and harden, so there are cases where they narrow shortly after the same procedure is performed.

If you experience any problems while receiving hemodialysis, please contact the hospital without delay (direct number 02-2088-8888)
If you visit us, we will resolve the issue as quickly as possible and assist you in resuming dialysis.
If it is after the hours of the Nephrology clinic, you can receive emergency dialysis at Mint Hospital.

If a hematoma develops after the procedure, it may be painful, just like a bruise from being hit.
If the hematoma is small, it will be absorbed naturally after 2-3 days, but if the hematoma is large, it may be necessary to take antibiotics after checking for damage to the internal artery.
In this case, it may take about 2 weeks for absorption and 1-2 months for the color to return to the skin.

The vein that carries blood from the arm into the heart is called the central vein.
If this central vein is narrowed, a large amount of blood passing through the dialysis arteriovenous fistula cannot drain from the arm, causing swelling.
In this case, you need to visit the clinic for a medical examination.

Even if the central vein is not narrowed, if the vein grows backward toward the fingertips instead of toward the heart,
Swelling can also occur when the amount of blood flowing from the arteries to the veins is excessive.

Fasting, including water, is the principle before all procedures and surgeries, but
If you are taking blood pressure medication, please take it with a small amount of water on an empty stomach before visiting.

The application of special medical expense coverage for severe intractable diseases in hemodialysis patients is possible on the condition that dialysis is performed, but
Vascular surgery for dialysis is eligible for special medical expense coverage even before dialysis.
To receive this benefit, you must bring the results of blood tests conducted at the Department of Nephrology about four times in the past.
The results sheet must include creatinine and glomerular filtration rate test results.

Even if the puncture site is small, if the skin is thin, it can cause problems later, so after the procedure, the puncture site is tied with sutures and a compression dressing is applied with a cotton ball.
Please attach the cotton ball for 24 hours if possible, and if there is no place to insert the dialysis needle, remove it first and reattach the cotton ball after proceeding with dialysis.
Apply a Band-A to the wound every two days after dressing, and be careful to keep it away from water for 4 days.
The sutures can be removed after 10 to 14 days.

Even with dialysis, regular checkups are essential because the condition of the blood vessels cannot be visually inspected.
Through regular checkups and dilation procedures, you can use your dialysis blood vessels for a longer and healthier period.
Please make sure to keep to the appointment date recommended by the hospital.

Applying warm compresses helps maintain the health of dialysis blood vessels.
However, the temperature should be moderately lukewarm, just warm enough; hot clay packs or hot packs pose a risk of burns.
In particular, people with diabetes often have difficulty feeling heat due to nerve damage.
You should be careful because you could get burned if you apply the compress for a long time without feeling that it is hot.

Vascular revascularization is a treatment that replaces surgery or foot amputation, but conservative procedures are possible in the early stages of progression.
Early diagnosis is important because if inflammation and necrosis have already progressed significantly, it may be difficult to apply vascular recanalization.

The most important thing is blood sugar management. You must be careful to prevent blood sugar from rising further by correcting your dietary and lifestyle habits.
Because blood does not circulate well to the peripheral blood vessels and wounds do not heal easily, diabetic patients must keep their feet clean and well-maintained.
You should be careful of injuries caused by trimming toenails, walking barefoot, burns from heating devices, and frostbite in winter.

Although diabetic foot (diabetic foot disease) does not occur as a complication in all diabetic patients
If you have a long history of diabetes, loss of sensation in your feet, or wounds that do not heal well, we recommend that you undergo a leg artery ultrasound examination.

Although our hospital does not have CT equipment, making examinations difficult, MRI scans can be used as an alternative for most areas.
(Equipped with 2 MRI models: 1.5T and 3.0T)
However, a CT scan is recommended for a detailed lung examination, and it is difficult to perform this test at our hospital.

When you get the flu vaccine, antibodies against the virus develop about 2 to 3 weeks later.
Since the flu season in Korea typically runs from December to April of the following year, it is best to get vaccinated around October or November.
However, even if that period has passed, do not think it is too late; it is recommended to get vaccinated considering the epidemic season extending until April.

It is prescribed to individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia.
Consultation and follow-up by an internal medicine specialist are absolutely necessary from the perspective of obesity treatment, rather than for simple cosmetic or weight loss purposes.

Mint Hospital prescribes nutritional IV fluids formulated directly by internal medicine specialists.
We offer a variety of intravenous fluid products tailored to specific purposes, and customized prescriptions are available based on age, gender, and disease.

If neurological symptoms suggestive of a brain disease are observed after a consultation with a specialist, a brain MRI scan is covered by health insurance.
(There is a limit to the number of times health insurance applies)
Since health insurance coverage may not apply if there are no abnormal findings in the neurological examination results,
Detailed insurance coverage will be determined after the consultation.

The contrast agents used in MRI precision examinations contain heavy metals such as gadolinium.
However, 99% is excreted in urine within one hour of the test, and the remainder is excreted within one day, so you do not need to worry too much.
However, if the patient has significantly impaired kidney function, it can be dangerous, so you must be sure to inform them.

All hospitalizations at Mint Hospital are only available before and after procedures or surgeries.
Therefore, while inpatient MRI examinations are possible before uterine fibroid removal, gynecological surgery, or vascular surgery,
We ask for your understanding that hospitalization is not possible for standalone examinations that do not lead to procedures or surgery.

Mint Hospital has a total of two MRI machines: the Philips Achieva 1.5T and the Ingenia 3T CX Q models.
T stands for Tesla, representing the strength of the magnetic field; the higher the value, the better the resolution.

While resolution is important for inspection, it does not mean that what is not visible at 1.5T is visible only at 3T.
Since the experience and skill of the radiologist are important, 1.5T and 3T equipment are utilized appropriately depending on the examination area and purpose.

Mint Hospital is centered around Director Kim Young-sun, who served as a professor in the Department of Radiology at Samsung Seoul Hospital.
Radiology specialists from Asan Medical Center and Ajou University Hospital personally interpret all images.

Mint Hospital's MRI examinations are performed without sedation by default.
In cases of severe claustrophobia, breathing control may be possible only in areas that do not require it (brain, legs, etc.), depending on the patient's age or condition, but
Sedation is not recommended in cases requiring breathing, such as abdominal MRI.
In addition, sedation is not possible for examinations of infants and young children.

At Mint Hospital, patients currently receiving treatment at other hospitals can schedule imaging tests, such as MRI or ultrasound, if they wish to undergo the examination separately.
(Bringing the test request form will make the process smoother.)
After the examination, copies of imaging CDs, interpretation reports, and medical opinions (upon request) can also be issued.
Please let us know the purpose and intended use of the examination, and we will assist you with the issuance of necessary medical records. (Patient in-person visit required)

MRI scans utilize magnetic fields rather than radiation like CT or X-rays, so they are harmless to the human body.
However, since the use of a magnetic field causes a reaction with metal, all metal must be removed from the body before the examination.
If metal materials (pacesizers, cochlear implants, etc.) from past surgery are inside the body, or
If you have dentures, orthodontic appliances, etc., you must notify us in advance.
In addition, fasting for at least 6 hours is required for abdominal and pelvic MRI examinations.

All medical records, such as medical charts, diagnostic certificates, medical opinions, and referral letters, are
It is classified as a restricted record under the Medical Service Act, making it difficult to send via fax or mail.
To protect your personal information, we kindly request that you obtain this upon your visit.
Patient identity verification (ID card) is required for issuance, and if applying through a representative, you must bring the necessary documents.
- Consent form, power of attorney, copy of patient's ID, copy of representative's ID (Family Relationship Certificate)

Generally, a prescription is issued after the patient has a face-to-face consultation, but
In cases where the patient is unconscious, has significantly limited mobility, or has been receiving the same prescription for the same condition for a long period
Proxy prescriptions are permitted only for legal guardians (the patient's direct ancestors, direct descendants, spouse and the spouse's direct ancestors, siblings, spouses of direct descendants, etc.).

Mint Hospital is a government-designated secondary medical institution.
If you are eligible for medical assistance, you must have a medical referral from a primary care institution to receive medical expense support.
Therefore, we strongly advise you to bring a Medical Benefit referral form before visiting Mint Hospital.

Since the hospital does not provide separate nursing services
For the patient's convenience, one guardian or caregiver may stay with the patient.
There are rollaway beds available, but bedding for guardians is not provided, so please bring your own.

It consists of multi-person rooms (3-5 people), double rooms, single rooms, etc.
We provide detailed information regarding inpatient rooms during consultations for surgery and procedures.

You can park in the underground parking lot of the Hans Building, where Mint Hospital is located.
One vehicle is available for free parking per patient on the day of surgery and during the hospitalization period.
Since you need to register your vehicle number before exiting the parking lot, please register at the desk of each center.

Appointments are required at Mint Hospital because we perform surgeries, procedures, and medical consultations simultaneously.
In addition, due to the Director's vacation, academic conference schedule, etc., it may be difficult to provide treatment if you visit without an appointment.
It is highly recommended that you make an appointment before visiting.