Transforming minimally-invasive hysterectomies with the da Vinci® robotics-assisted surgery
The National Women’s Health Network reports that more than one in three women will have a hysterectomy by the age of 60. This procedure to remove the uterus, cervix, surrounding tissue, and part of the vagina as needed may be performed as an open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or robotic-assisted surgery.
Drs Stanley Friedell, Regina Belmonte, Julianne Morton, Whitney Dunn, Aleena Lakhanpal, Margaret Kistner, and Brandon Anhalt perform laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Friedell is also certified to perform robotic surgery using the fourth-generation da Vinci Xi® surgical system.
How robotic-assisted surgery is transforming laparoscopic hysterectomies
At Northwestern Women’s Health Associates in Chicago, Illinois, we may recommend laparoscopic surgery as a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery. The “traditional” open approach involves a larger incision on the abdomen. This incision must be large enough for instruments to be inserted. So the surgery can be performed.
The laparoscopic approach involves minimal small openings made in the abdomen near the belly button. Surgery is performed by using long-handled instruments and a small laparoscope (or camera) that is used to view the treatment site on a monitor.
Robotic surgery with the da Vinci Xi® involves making a few incisions – no bigger than a fingertip – to introduce the tiny instruments used to complete treatment. Dr. Friedell then guides these instruments precisely from a special console near the patient in the operating room. The system is also equipped with a camera that delivers 3-dimensional, high-definition views of the treatment site.
These views are magnified to 10 times what the human eye is capable of seeing. The “robots” don’t perform the treatment; Dr. Friedell guides the tools. The instruments translate his hand movements in real-time, which move like a human hand. However, this instrumentation is not limited like our human eyes or range of motion. The instruments have a greater range of motion and a heightened capacity to bend and rotate smoothly, which complements the highly-magnified, crystal-clear views of the site. Together, these distinctive features support the precise, safe, and optimal treatment.
Robotic-assisted hysterectomy is a great option for some patients. In part, researchers in a review of published studies on the da Vinci’s benefits found that compared to open surgery:
- Patients had shorter hospital stays and less pain
- Surgeons were less likely to switch to the open procedure when performing treatment with the da Vinci® versus the laparoscope
- Patients had fewer incisions and, in turn, minimal scarring afterward
Contact Northwestern Women’s Health Associates today!
Hysterectomy may generally be indicated for abnormal or heavy periods, chronic pelvic pain, prolapse, endometriosis, fibroids, and both cancerous and benign tumors. Do not ignore any concerning changes or potential symptoms. Call 312-440-9400 to speak with a member of our Northwestern Women’s Health Associates team to Request an Appointment.
