When the lower part of the uterus, called the cervix, is removed, the operation is called a total hysterectomy, while if the cervix remains, it is called a hysterectomy.
“If you know you have to undergo surgery called a hysterectomy, you must also know your options. “Today’s technology allows this operation to be performed through minimally invasive techniques that use small incisions in the skin.”
Diseases treated through hysterectomy
The factors that can lead a patient to undergo hysterectomy are several with the main:
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Cancer or precancerous lesions of the endometrium
• Cancer or precancerous lesions (malformations) of the cervix
• Uterine prolapse
• Uterine bleeding
• Pelvic pain.
After the hysterectomy, the patient will not have a period, and will not be able to get pregnant. Depending on the condition, the ovaries can be preserved by providing hormonal coverage to the patient. For these reasons, hysterectomy is recommended as a last resort, especially in women of childbearing potential.
Technique
A very thin optical camera enters through the navel. Surgical instruments need another two or three small incisions (5 to 8 mm). Exactly the same as in traditional laparoscopy.
The difference between traditional laparoscopy and robotic surgery is that your doctor uses the da Vinci robotic surgery system. This system supports the very thin surgical instruments, while the surgeon fully controls the movements and the individual stages of the operation.
Robotic technology enhances the surgeon’s understanding of the surgical field, facilitates surgical movements and protects anatomical structures due to the delicacy and precision of the manipulations.
Overview of the pathology with a larger magnification than traditional laparoscopy offers better postoperative results, less pain, and in the vast majority of cases only one night stay in the hospital.
In this way even the most complex cases of hysterectomy can be performed through robotic surgery. Thus, it is an ideal technique for obese patients, patients with many older surgeries, patients with large fibroids, which until now would lead to open “caesarean type” surgeries.
Most hysterectomies in the United States today are performed through robotic surgery.
There are other ways to have a hysterectomy
It can also be performed either vaginally, through a large incision in the skin, or through three small incisions in the skin through traditional laparoscopy.
All of these techniques have major drawbacks to robotic hysterectomy (staying in the hospital for longer days, more painful and bloody surgeries, increased complications associated with obese patients).
Robotic Surgery in Gynecology
Robotic surgery in gynecology performs operations that are individualized according to the characteristics of each patient from the simplest to the most complex operations.
In particular, it offers benefits and solutions in areas such as:
• Overweight patients: Robotic surgery makes it technically possible to perform complex gynecological surgeries without large incisions in women with an increased body mass index.
• Oncology: The stability of movements offered by the ergonomics of the tools of minimally invasive surgery ensures the safety of the oncological result.
• Infertility: Much lower chance of adhesions forming compared to open surgery and better anatomical restoration of infertility structures.
“Highly specialized and international skills are required of surgeons to perform robotic surgeries. The vast majority of gynecological surgeries can be performed with robotic surgery.
The robotic hysterectomy is now performed in Greece in the new Primary Gynecology Clinic – Department of Robotics and Laparoscopic Surgery at the Metropolitan General “, concludes Mr. Plevris.
Writes:
Mr. Nikolaos Plevris, PhD, Gynecologist,
Director of the 1st Gynecology Clinic – Department of Robotics and Laparoscopic Surgery Metropolitan General
.
