Today, robotic surgery with the daVinci Surgical System is one of the least invasive and most effective options for women who undergo complex hysterectomies and other gynecological procedures.
The da Vinci System features state-of-the-art robotic technology that takes minimally invasive surgery to a new level. Da Vinci robotic surgery offers patients many remarkable benefits, including less scarring; less post-operative pain and discomfort; less risk of infection; less blood loss; shorter recovery and faster return to normal activities.
The robotic system does not work on its own, but is an instrument under complete control of the surgeon. The surgeon performs every surgical step. The System cannot be programmed and does not make decisions on its own.
There are several major differences between standard traditional “open” surgery, laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery. With robotic surgery, the surgeon operates from a special console, which allows a three-dimensional view of the operating field and up to ten times the magnification of the human eye. The three-dimensional robotic view is superior to the two-dimensional view of traditional laparoscopic surgery and the magnification allows better visualization of vital anatomical structures.
While seated at the console, the surgeon grasps the da Vinci master controls with his or her fingers to manipulate the System’s robotic arms. These small, operative arms mimic the feel of traditional “open” surgery. If the surgeon’s hand moves clockwise, the instruments also move clockwise. This makes daVinci surgery more intuitive than laparoscopic surgery, which requires the surgeon to move the instrument handles in the opposite direction of the instrument tips. Additionally, the robotic arms can rotate 360 degrees, offering the surgeon increased flexibility and range of motion beyond that offered with laparoscopy. This means the surgeon can more easily approach structures during complicated procedures and has a greater ability to dissect delicate vessels and nerves.
Finally, the daVinci System uses specialized micro-instruments that vary with surgeon preference and the type of surgical case. Some examples are a curved clamp-like device that delivers energy to tissue to prevent and control bleeding, scissors hooked up to electric cautery, and graspers to hold and retract tissue and organs. As the surgeon manipulates the daVinci controls, the System moves the robotic arms and scales and translates his or her finger and wrist movements into precise movements of the micro-instruments. daVinci technology can also provide precision as it helps to reduce tremors of the human hand. As with other minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopic surgery, daVinci surgery requires only small incisions—roughly the size of a dime. This helps to minimize pain, the risk of infection and the time required for recovery. Generally, daVinci hysterectomy patients are able to return home the same day or the next day with little to no medication for pain relief.
From the safety standpoint, the daVinci only moves when a number of criteria are met and the surgeon is in complete control. If a problem arises that cannot be managed by the robotic approach, the surgical team is in a position to rapidly and efficiently manage the issue.
Not all patients are candidates for robotic surgery. The surgeon will determine the best surgical approach for each case. For those patients who are candidates, robotic surgery can be used for hysterectomy, reproductive surgeries, endometriosis, fibroid removal, pelvic prolapse, endometrial cancers and ovarian or cyst removal.