Robotic Gynecologic Surgery

The da Vinci system enables surgeons to operate with better precision -- and send you home faster.

Traditional open surgery and minimally invasive surgical techniques such as laparoscopy have their limitations. Robotic surgery overcomes them by combining computer technology with a surgeon’s skill.

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive approach that eliminates the need for large incisions, minimizes discomfort, and allows you to more quickly return to your daily activities.

How does robotic surgery work?

Like a traditional laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon inserts a laparoscope -- a long, thin tube with a light and camera at the end -- through a small, key-hole size incision. The camera transmits high-resolution, 3-D images of your body to a monitor for the surgeon to see.

Where robotic surgery differs is that instead of manually manipulating surgical instruments, we use the da Vinci system. This computer-assisted, robotic system enables the surgeon to operate with unmatched precision, vision, and control.

The surgeon uses controls similar to joysticks to manipulate robotic arms that hold special surgical instruments. The robotic “wrists” move 360 degrees, which allows the surgeon greater precision and flexibility.

The da Vinci system cannot be programmed or move on its own. The surgeon controls all movement.

While 65 percent of hysterectomies are performed using open surgical techniques, robotic hysterectomy is becoming more common. Other robotic gynecologic surgeries we perform include myomectomy and sacrocolpopexy.

Benefits of robotic surgery

Robotic gynecologic surgery provides many potential benefits over other surgical approaches, including:

• Fewer complications
• Less pain
• Minimized scar tissue
• Reduced blood loss and need for transfusion
• Reduced muscle and tissue damage
• Shorter hospital stay
• Quicker recovery and return to normal activities

What conditions can robotic surgery treat?

We use robotic surgery to treat gynecologic conditions such as:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Gynecologic cancer
• Pelvic organ prolapse