Robotic Surgery Specialist

What is robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery?

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that allows for extensive surgery to be done via small abdominal incisions with a small camera rather than larger open incisions traditionally used. The da Vinci robot is one type of robotic surgical platform approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in gynecologic surgery.

What are the advantages of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery?

Like traditional laparoscopic surgery, the advantages of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery include smaller, more cosmetically appealing incisions, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and shorter recovery time compared to open surgery. In contrast to traditional laparoscopy, robot-assisted laparoscopy utilizes special wristed instruments and provides a 3-dimensional view that gives your surgeon improved visualization, precision, and control.

What conditions can be treated with robot-assisted laparoscopy?

Uterine fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic prolapse, gynecologic cancer, and other conditions can be treated by robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

How many incisions will I have with robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery?

In general, patients undergoing multi-port robot-assisted laparoscopy will have 5 small incisions. Surgical pathology can be removed through the vagina or belly button. Some patients are candidates for single-site robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, wherein a single slightly larger belly button incision will be the only incision.

How long will I stay in the hospital after my surgery?

Many patients will go home on the same day as the surgery. Select patients may stay overnight depending on the length of operative time or complexity of the surgical procedure.

I was told that I am not a good candidate for traditional laparoscopic surgery, does that mean that I should have robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery?

Typically patients who are not candidates for traditional laparoscopy are also not candidates for robot-assisted laparoscopy. Reasons to avoid minimally invasive surgery in a particular patient may include certain medical conditions or factors related to your surgical anatomy.