da Vinci Hysterectomy For Early Stage Gynecologic Cancer
The Condition:
Early Stage Gynecologic Cancer
A wide variety of gynecologic cancers can affect a woman's reproductive system, which consists of the uterus, vagina, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ that holds a baby as it grows inside a pregnant woman. The fallopian tubes and ovaries are located on either side of the uterus.
The most common types of gynecologic cancers are cervical, endometrial (uterine), and ovarian cancer. The specific type of cancer a woman has and how advanced it is, will determine her available treatment options.
Women with early stage gynecologic cancer are often treated with hysterectomy - the surgical removal of the uterus. In this procedure, the doctor may also remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or select lymph nodes.
The Treatment:
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is the second most common surgical procedure for women in the United States, and an estimated one in three women in the U.S. will have a hysterectomy before turning 60.10 If you have a gynecologic cancer - such as endometrial or cervical cancer - hysterectomy may be your best treatment option. The type of hysterectomy you have will depend upon your medical history and health, as well as the extent of the cancer growth.
Traditional hysterectomies for gynecologic cancers are performed using open abdominal surgery, requiring a long vertical incision (from the pubic bone to just above the navel). Open abdominal hysterectomy can be painful for patients, involve heavy medications, risk of infection, and significant blood loss during surgery.
After surgery, a long recovery (typically 6 weeks) is necessary, and many times this recovery may happen while you are undergoing a secondary treatment (radiation or chemotherapy). In addition, many patients are not happy with the large scar and abdominal muscle weakness left by the incision.
da Vinci Hysterectomy:
A Less Invasive Surgical Procedure
If your doctor recommends hysterectomy, you may be a candidate for an innovative, less invasive surgical procedure called da Vinci Hysterectomy. This procedure uses the da Vinci® Surgical System, a state-of-the-art surgical platform designed to help your doctor perform the most precise and least invasive hysterectomy available today. For most women, da Vinci Hysterectomy offers numerous potential benefits over traditional surgical approaches, including:
- Significantly less pain2
- Minimal blood loss and need for transfusion11,3
- Fewer complications11,12
- Shorter hospital stay11,12
- Quicker recovery and return to normal activities1,2
- Small incisions for minimal scarring
- Better outcomes and patient satisfaction, in many cases11
By overcoming the limitations of both traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci is revolutionizing gynecologic surgery for women. It’s no wonder more and more women are choosing da Vinci Surgery for their hysterectomy.