RSSFewer Risks Make Robotics Surgery an Attractive Option
Jan 28
Medicine davinci robotic surgery, davinci surgery, robotics surgery Comments Off
Any surgeon can tell you that there are risks associated with even the most simple procedures. When you compare the risks that accompany conventional abdominal hysterectomies with those performed with robotics surgery, the latter has significantly fewer risks. Fewer risks make robotics surgery an attractive option. Issues ranging from down time to bleeding, swelling and scarring are all considerably decreased with robotics surgery which explains why it is becoming increasingly popular.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that approximately 3.1 million women had hysterectomies performed between the years of 2000 and 2004. Endometriosis, uterine prolapse and fibroid tumors are the top three conditions that warranted hysterectomies during those years. The hysterectomy ranks second-highest in frequency of major gynecological surgeries, with the first-place procedure being the cesarean section. The women with the highest number of instances of hysterectomy are those of the ages between 40 and 44.* The statistics might make it sound like doctors are over prescribing this procedure, but I assure you, it is not suggested lightly. Some additional conditions that cause doctors to consider removal of the reproductive organs are cancers of the cervix, ovaries and endometrium. For the potential patient, it is likely a relief that developments in laparoscopy have led to robotics surgery, which is less invasive and has benefits which are looking better all the time when compared to the ordeal of conventional surgery.
During an abdominal hysterectomy, the surgeon makes a large incision across the belly to gain access to the reproductive organs. In some cases, this is completely necessary and the only option. When, however, the laparoscopic approach can be considered, surgeons are increasingly turning to daVinci robotic surgery for its precise, state-of-the-art system. Because it uses only several small slits in the abdomen, the risks of bleeding and infection are lowered considerably, as are later complications such as infection, swelling and pain. Visible scars are minimized with da Vinci surgery, which is a huge concern of a woman who is faced with surgery of any kind. Perhaps the biggest plus on the side of robotics surgery is the precision afforded the surgeon. The daVinci surgery system provides the surgeon with a real-time, three-dimensional image of the patient’s interior abdomen during the operation. The surgeon sits at a console right in the operating room, working at a control panel. The amazingly tiny, remotely controlled instruments inside the patient’s body move accurately, mirroring the surgeon’s commands.
Comparing the down time between the two approaches to hysterectomy shows robotics surgery providing yet another benefit: less lengthy recuperation. A woman who has had a robotics procedure usually requires around a couple of weeks of down time, while a patient who had conventional surgery can expect anywhere from four to eight weeks of time away from her normal activities.
Even though it is the very latest in technology, daVinci surgery is available at Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor.
* http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/WomensRH/00-04-FS_Hysterectomy.htm