You may have only recently heard about robotic surgery, but it has actually been approved for gynecological procedures by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2005. More than a decade later, robotic technology continues to improve the way gynecological procedures are performed. At New Beginnings OB-GYN in Las Vegas, we perform gynecological surgery with the revolutionary da Vinci® robotic system. Read on to learn why robotic gynecological surgery may be able to help you.
Keyhole surgery, which involves using long, thin instruments inserted into the body through small incisions, has been around for decades. Unfortunately, due to the anatomy and level of precision needed for gynecological procedures, keyhole surgery wasn’t always an option. In many cases, gynecological surgery had to be performed as an open procedure. This often led to longer operations, longer downtime, and a higher chance for complications. But that was before robotic surgery became a reality.
Robotic surgery is a step beyond keyhole surgery. With robotic surgery, the surgeon can get a 3-D view of the operation site. In the past, cameras sometimes had to be held by hand, meaning they could shake or gradually move. With robotic surgery, the video is stable throughout the procedure.
Control has also improved with robotics. In the past, surgeons had to move their hands in the opposite direction of the screen they were looking at to operate. This was counterintuitive and often difficult. With robotic surgery, the robot acts as an extension of the surgeon’s hand, and the video image is true to the actual movements. This allows the surgeon to operate naturally and intuitively, which can lead to better results and faster procedures.
With the heightened accuracy, there’s a reduced risk of blood loss, and recovery times can be shorter.
Not only can hysterectomies be treated with minimally invasive surgery thanks to robotics, but the results are better, too. One study found that when severe adhesions to the uterus were involved, using robotic surgery led to shorter operation times than when other methods were used. This means that an open hysterectomy can be avoided in many cases, giving you a chance to heal faster and endure less pain.
Robotic surgery can also be used for oncology procedures to remove cancer in the early stages. Precision is required to ensure that all cancer cells are removed. Traditionally, with was very difficult to do with open or minimally invasive surgery. Thanks to the enhanced 3-D video and greater control over the surgical movements, reliably getting rid of all the cancer cells is now possible.
Here at New Beginnings OB-GYN, we use robotic surgery for a wide range of gynecological procedures. We can treat early cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, pelvic adhesions, hysterectomies, and repair pelvic organ prolapse.
In 2005, the FDA approved the da Vinci surgical system for use in gynecological procedures. We have become very adept and skilled at using this top-of-the-line robotic system. With the 3-D video system and the robotic arms for controlling instruments, the da Vinci system enables us to control every aspect of your procedure with greater precision than was possible with traditional surgical techniques. This means the treatments are more precise, the procedures take less time, and your recovery time can be shorter.
If you need gynecological surgery, get the best treatment available by booking an appointment online or over the phone with New Beginnings OB-GYN today.
