Hysterectomy is the second-most common surgical procedure for women in the United States, and an estimated one third of all U.S. women will have a hysterectomy by age 60.
For many patients, a minimally invasive hysterectomy using the DaVinci robotic system can offer numerous potential benefits over traditional approaches to vaginal or open abdominal hysterectomy — particularly when performing more challenging procedures like a radical hysterectomy.
You may be a candidate for a robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy, a highly effective, minimally invasive option for a range of uterine conditions.
At The Women’s Specialists, Dr. Sudheer Jayaprabhu, FACOG, trained in June 2009, is skilled in performing hysterectomies using the da Vinci™ Surgical System. He has performed over 350 of these surgeries to date as of 2014 with this number steadily increasing.
This robotic system enables surgeons to operate with remarkable precision and control — using only a few small incisions.
Potential benefits include:
- Less pain
- Less blood loss
- Fewer complications
- Less scarring
- A shorter hospital stay
- A faster return to normal daily activities
The robotic system also allows your surgeon better visualization of the anatomy, which is especially critical when working around delicate and confined structures like the bladder, blood vessels and other internal organs. This allows robotically trained surgeons to perform radical cancer surgeries and help overcome challenges associated with adhesions from previous operations.
As with any surgery, the benefits cannot be guaranteed. Successful outcomes depend on both the patient and the procedure. While a robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy and related procedures are considered safe and effective, the technique may not be appropriate for every individual. You should always discuss all the treatment options with your physician to understand the risks and benefits.
Patient Testimonials
FAQ’s
1. How long is the recovery time following a robotic hysterectomy?
- Generally, recovery lasts 6 weeks after surgery especially for the inside incisions to adequately heal but, the recovery period is typically much shorter with a robotic surgery over traditional surgical techniques. Some individuals have returned to work in as little as 2-3 weeks following surgery. Although patients will feel better, they still need to remember that complications (like hernias) can still occur during this time. Healing time is dependent on the person and everyone is different.
2. How long does the procedure take?
- Total time for a simple robotic hysterectomy is usually an average of an hour and a half.
3. How much pain is involved with this procedure?
- Every patient has a different perception of pain and response to pain, however, most patients require far less use of narcotic pain medication with the robotic procedure. This is one of the major benefits to this procedure over traditional surgical techniques.
4. How long will I be in the hospital?
- The average length of stay for the robotic hysterectomy procedure is one overnight hospital stay. Patients are typically discharged the following day after their scheduled procedure is completed as long as no complications are involved.