Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
When medication and non-invasive procedures are unable to relieve symptoms, surgery remains the accepted and most effective treatment for a range of gynecologic conditions. These include, but are not limited to, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic pain, uterine bleeding problems, ovarian cysts, pelvic prolapse and incontinence, cancer (cervical, uterine and ovarian) and even prophylactic surgery in women at high risk for certain gynecologic cancers.
For many years, the traditional approach to most gynecologic surgeries has been an open incision of 6-12 inches. Since this means using a large incision for access to gynecologic anatomy, there is often more pain and longer recovery with more trauma to surrounding tissue.
Faced with a longer recovery due to pain and discomfort as well as extended time away from normal daily activities that usually follows traditional major surgery, many women understandably fear and avoid the best surgical treatment for their medical condition.
Fortunately, less invasive options are available. Some
gynecologic procedures enable surgeons to access the target anatomy using a vaginal approach, which may not require an external incision. Most gynecologic surgeries are able to be performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopy is major surgery performed through tiny, 1-2 cm abdominal incisions that allow the surgeon to use a lighted scope and small instruments to reach the target anatomy.
For some complex hysterectomies and other gynecologic procedures, robot-assisted surgery with the daVinci Surgical System may be the most effective, least invasive treatment option. Robotic surgery is laparoscopic surgery with the added technology of the range of motion of the human wrist at the tip of the laparoscopic instrument and 3-dimensional vision.
Laparoscopic surgery offers greater precision and control, minimizing the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a faster recovery with excellent clinical outcomes.
As with any surgery, these outcomes cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is both patient- and procedure-specific. Minimally invasive surgery may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.
Women First physicians specialize in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. We specialize in advanced, complex laparoscopic surgery. Some of our physicians perform daVinci robotic gynecologic surgery. Physicians from all over the United States travel to Louisville, Kentucky to operate and learn specialized laparoscopic surgery from some of our doctors.
Of the more than 600,000 hysterectomies performed annually in the U.S.(1 in 3 women by age 60), 70% are opensurgeries.
At Women First, we average over 300 hysterectomies a year with only 5-6% of these hysterectomies performed abdominally. Amazingly, over 90% of our hysterectomies are minimally invasive.
