Traditional open gynecologic surgery, using a large incision for access to the uterus and surrounding anatomy, has for many years been the standard approach to many gynecologic procedures. Yet, open surgery can cause significant pain, physical trauma and a long recovery process. For women facing gynecologic surgery, the period of pain, discomfort and extended time away from normal daily activities that usually follows traditional surgery can also cause significant anxiety.
da Vinci enables GYN surgeons to perform more complex operations through just a few tiny incisions, thereby minimizing the need to perform traditional abdominal (open) surgery. As a result, da Vinci GYN surgeons can offer the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to a broader range of patients. Potential patient benefits include:
- Significantly less pain post-operatively
- Shorter hospital stay (one day in most cases versus 3-5)
- Quicker recovery and return to normal activities (1-2 weeks versus 6-8 weeks)
- Fewer complications & less risk of infection
- Less scarring: Small, dime-sized incisions versus 6-8 inch scar
Hysterectomy is the most common female surgery, with roughly 650,000 performed annually in the United States. Hysterectomy is performed for a variety of conditions, including excessive bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, cancer and pre-cancer. Currently, the majority of hysterectomies (65-70%) are still performed via open incision.
In addition, there are roughly 50,000 myomectomy (fibroid removal) procedures performed annually in the United States, the vast majority of which are performed via a large open incision. Similarly, it's estimated that more than 70,000 procedures are performed in the U.S. annually to treat severe uterine prolapse or vaginal vault prolapse, the vast majority of which are surgically corrected through an open incision.
To the women receiving open surgery, da Vinci Surgery represents a significant advance in gynecological care and treatment. In fact, da Vinci Surgery may be the most effective and the least invasive option for many gynecologic conditions requiring surgery.