da Vinci® Hysterectomy for Benign Gynecologic Conditions
The Condition(s):
Chronic Pelvic Pain, Heavy Bleeding , Fibroids , Endometriosis , and/or Prolapse
A wide variety of benign (non-cancerous) conditions can affect your reproductive system – the uterus, vagina, ovaries, and fallopian tubes – and most of these conditions affect the uterus. It is a hollow, muscular organ that holds a baby as it grows inside a pregnant woman.
Common gynecologic conditions like fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the uterine wall), endometriosis (non-cancerous growths of uterine lining), or prolapse (falling or slipping of the uterus) can cause long-term pelvic pain, excessive menstrual bleeding , and/or other disabling symptoms.
When medication and other non-surgical options do not relieve your symptoms, surgery may be recommended. It can provide a more effective, long-term solution for a variety of gynecologic conditions. If your doctor has recommended a hysterectomy, you are not alone. One in three women in the United States will have a hysterectomy before turning 60. 10
The Treatment:
HysterectomyA hysterectomy can sometimes be performed through the vagina. But, when the uterus is enlarged or if you have internal scarring from a prior surgery or other conditions, an open abdominal hysterectomy is usually performed. Open abdominal hysterectomy requires a long incision below the navel. This procedure can be painful, involving strong medications, a risk of infection, and significant blood loss. After surgery, a long recovery (often 6 weeks) is necessary. In addition, many patients are not happy with the scar and abdominal muscle weakness caused by the incision.
While hysterectomy is a relatively safe procedure, it may not be appropriate or necessary for all women or conditions. Alternatives to hysterectomy that preserve the uterus may be available. For example, da Vinci ®Myomectomy is a minimally invasive surgical alternative to hysterectomy. It may be an option for women with fibroids who want to preserve their fertility and/or uterus. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.
If your doctor recommends hysterectomy, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive alternative to traditional hysterectomy called da Vinci Hysterectomy. This procedure uses the da Vinci ® Surgical System , a state-of-the-art surgical platform designed to help your doctor perform the most precise and least invasive hysterectomy available today. For most women, da Vinci Hysterectomy offers many potential benefits over traditional surgical approaches, including:
- Significantly less pain 2
- Minimal blood loss and need for transfusion 11,3
- Fewer complications 11,12
- Shorter hospital stay 11,12
- Quicker recovery and return to normal activities 1,2
- Small incisions for minimal scarring
- Better outcomes and patient satisfaction, in many cases 11
By overcoming the limitations of both traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci is revolutionizing gynecologic surgery for women. That's why more and more women are choosing da Vinci Surgery for their hysterectomy.
1. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch242/ch242b.html#sec22-ch242-ch242b-83
2. http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_pain/2_assessment.asp
3. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch252/ch252f.html?qt=pain%20during%20intercourse&alt=sh
10. http://womenshealth.gov/faq/hysterectomy.htm
11. Boggess JF. Robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology: evolution of a new surgical paradigm. J Robotic Surg 2007 1:31-3
12. Payne TN, et al. A comparison of total laparoscopic hysterectomy to robotically assisted hysterectomy: surgical outcomes in a community practice. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2008 May-June;15(3):286-91
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.