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Surgical Procedure: Hysterectomy
The Condition: Uterine Disease, including cancer, fibroids, endometriosis and prolapse
A wide variety of conditions affect the uterus, or womb. The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ which holds and feeds a fertilized egg. Traditionally, many conditions affecting the uterus are treated with hysterectomy - the surgical removal of the uterus. U.S. doctors perform about 600,000 hysterectomies every year, making it the second most common surgical procedure. Hysterectomy may offer a life-saving treatment for serious conditions such as cancer or uncontrollable bleeding. In most cases, however, hysterectomy is an elective procedure performed to relieve chronic pain, bleeding or other disabling conditions. These may be caused by fibroids (noncancerous tumors); endometriosis (noncancerous growth of the uterine lining) or prolapse (falling or slipping of the uterus).
The Treatment: Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy can sometimes be performed through the vagina. However, when the uterus is enlarged - for example, from fibroids or cancer - an abdominal hysterectomy is preferable. This requires a 6-12 inch incision. In some cases, doctors also remove the ovaries because they are thought to release hormones contributing to the condition.
While hysterectomy is relatively safe, it may not be appropriate or necessary for all individuals or conditions. Alternative treatments that can preserve the uterus and ovaries may be available. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.
Da Vinci Hysterectomy: A Less Invasive Surgical Procedure
If your doctor recommends hysterectomy, you may be a candidate for a less invasive surgical procedure available at McLaren Flint called da Vinci Hysterectomy. The procedure uses a robotic-assisted surgical system designed to help your surgeon perform a more precise, minimally invasive procedure. For most women, da Vinci Hysterectomy offers numerous potential benefits over traditional surgical approaches, including:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Less pain
- Faster recovery
- Quicker return to normal activities
- Less risk of wound infection
- Less blood loss
- Less scarring
As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is patient and procedure specific.
The Enabling Technology: da Vinci Surgical System
The da Vinci Surgical System is powered by advanced robotic technology. The System allows your surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movement of micro-instruments within the operative site. The da Vinci System enhances surgical capabilities by enabling the performance of complex surgeries through tiny surgical openings. The System cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its own. The da Vinci System requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon.
The da Vinci Surgical System has been successfully used in tens of thousands of minimally invasive procedures worldwide.
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