What is robotic surgery?
Robotic Surgery is an innovative advancement in laparoscopic surgery. Whereas traditional laparoscopic surgeries are handheld by the surgeon, robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgeries are performed using robotic arms to make precise movements and completely under the surgeon’s control.
Depending on the type of surgery, several incisions less than 1 centimeter are made on the abdomen where a laparoscopic camera and instruments are placed thus allowing the surgeon to perform surgery without a large incision being made. The camera image is high definition allowing excellent exposure of the surgical field and the movements are precisely controlled, reducing surgeon fatigue and error.
Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive approach with advantages over tradition open surgeries. Performing the surgery by avoiding a large open incision allows reduced recovery time and decreased hospital stay.
What type of surgeries can be done robotically?
Your specialist works with you to determine the best surgical approach, and just because a procedure can be completed using robotic surgery doesn’t mean that a different approach isn’t the better option.
Gynecologic surgeries that can be done using a robotic platform include:
- Hysterectomy, both partial or full
- Myomectomy, or removal of uterine fibroids
- Removal of ovarian cysts
- Removal of scar tissue from previous surgeries
This is not a comprehensive list, and advancement in surgical techniques is always expanding the types of procedures that can be performed using today’s robotic platforms.
What are the advantages of robotic gynecologic surgery?
Using the da Vinci robotic system offers a number of benefits compared to traditional open surgery, including:
- Decreased post-operative pain
- Decreased blood loss
- Shorter hospital stays
- Decreased recovery time and return to normal activities
Outcomes are specific to each individual and will depend on overall health and the type of surgery.
To learn more, schedule an appointment with Rejuv Gynecology and Obstetrics for a one-on-one consultation today, either online or by phone.
