Return to Work and to Family Sooner: Considering Minimally Invasive Therapy
Authored by Dr. Grayson Guzman on 4/26/2010
Authored by Grayson Guzman
4/26/2010
Categories: Newest Treatments, Health News, MomDocs Online
Categories: Newest Treatments, Health News, MomDocs Online
Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually for reasons including but not limited to painful and/or heavy periods, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic organ prolapse or chronic pelvic pain.
When all other therapeutic modalities have been exhausted, i.e. conservative or medical management, often times, patients are faced with definitive therapy in the form of a hysterectomy.
Prior to consultation with your physician, you should inquire about minimally invasive techniques when considering surgical management, which include options like vaginal hysterectomy (least invasive and most conservative though must be an optimal candidate), laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, and robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy.
In order to optimize your quality of life and return to your work and/or to your family sooner, a serious thought should be given regarding daVinci robotic-assisted surgery if you present as a suitable candidate.
The daVinci robotic-assisted laparoscopic total hysterectomy is a minimally invasive modality that affords the surgeon optimal visualization through a laparoscope and added dexterity to small instruments that would have otherwise been limited in traditional laparoscopy. This significantly decreases the conversion of a complicated hysterectomy to a laparotomy, or open surgery, in cases of complex pathology or anatomy.
The surgery is accomplished via small incisions in the abdomen allowing access to the abdomen and pelvis. The robot is then "docked" to the patient, and small instruments that are able to articulate (jointed instruments that mimic hand motions) are placed through these small incisions. Visualization is afforded through a three-dimensional laparoscope, which is also placed through a small incision. Contrary to what is believed with robots, which may forward the idea that they operate on their own, the daVinci surgical system operates on a master and slave premise. The surgeon takes his or her place at a console after determining and placing strategic entry points in the abdomen and subsequently docking the robot to the patient. The robot then translates movements that the surgeon makes with controllers at the console into smaller more precise movements. The robot moves only when the surgeon moves.
Ultimately, for the patient, a faster recovery results due to less pain and a decreased hospital stay. So, when faced with the possibility of major surgery, during your consultation with your surgeon, inquire about minimally invasive surgery to significantly increase your odds of returning to your regularly scheduled life sooner.
