Robotic Gynecologic Surgery

The standard approach for many gynecologic surgical procedures has long been for surgeons to use a large incision to gain access to the uterus and surrounding organs. Now, the da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System provides surgeons with a minimally invasive alternative that lets them perform more complex operations through just a few tiny incisions, minimizing the need to perform traditional abdominal (open) surgery. Though the da Vinci surgical system is “robotic,” your surgeon is in control.

As a result, gynecologic surgeons who use the da Vinci system can often provide their patients with several benefits, including:

  • Shorter hospital stay (one day in most cases versus three to five days)
  • Less post-operative pain (often only over-the-counter pain medications are required)
  • Quicker recovery and return to normal activities
  • Fewer complications and less risk of infection
  • Less scarring: Small, dime-sized incisions versus a six-to-eight inch scar

If you need a referral to a physician at Northern Nevada Medical Center, call our free physician referral service at 775-356-6662.

Robotic Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a woman's uterus and is the second most common surgery among women in the United States of America. In fact, one in three women in this country will have a hysterectomy before they reach 60 years of age, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

There are a number of reasons why your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy, including cancer, fibroids, endometriosis when other treatments have not helped, chronic pelvic pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Hysterectomies can be done through traditional abdominal surgery, laparoscopic surgery or robotically with the da Vinci Surgical System. The majority of gynecologic conditions that can lead to hysterectomy can now be treated effectively without a large incision. With the da Vinci Surgical System, a hysterectomy requires only a few small incisions.

Robotic Colposacropexy (Pelvic Organ Prolapse)

A weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and tissues that support the pelvic region causes pelvic floor disorders. The pelvis has a "hammock" or "sling" of muscles, located in the lower abdomen, that stretch across your pelvic floor. For both men and women, the pelvic floor supports the bladder, bowel, rectum and urethra and maintains urinary and fecal continence. In women, these are the muscles that support the uterus and play an important role in vaginal childbirth. Over time they may become stretched or weakened.

Women with pelvic organ prolapse typically have problems with urinary incontinence, vaginal ulceration, sexual dysfunction and/or having bowel movements. Symptoms of a pelvic floor disorder can be minor to major, depending on the position of the organs, and may include a feeling of pressure in the vagina, pain in the abdomen or during sex. Urinary troubles are also common such as urge or stress incontinence and/or a feeling of not being able to completely empty the bladder. In addition, prolapse can contribute to bowel problems including constipation, incomplete emptying or fecal incontinence.

For those with severe prolapse, the uterus, bladder or rectum may descend or bulge into the vagina, sometimes to where they can actually be seen protruding from the vaginal opening.

When the muscles or ligaments support the pelvic organs break or weaken, the condition is called pelvic organ prolapse, which can also result from pelvic injury associated with the abdominal pressure of coughing, heavy lifting, constipation, pelvic surgery, neurological injury, obesity, menopause and hormonal deprivation or medications. Anatomical abnormalities are another cause for women experiencing these same functional symptoms.

If you need a referral to a physician at Northern Nevada Medical Center, call our free physician referral service at 775-356-6662.

Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if robotic surgery is right for you.