Robotic Surgery

When people say robotic surgery, they are actually referring to robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgery in which the surgeon accesses the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without having to use a large incision on the skin.

A robotic endoscope, a special camera, is placed through a small incision in the belly button so the surgeon can see inside the body. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to make space for the surgeon to operate. Additional small incisions are made to allow robotic instruments to be placed in the body. The instruments are then attached to the robot. The surgeon controls the robotic instruments from the surgeon console in the operating room.

After the procedure is completed, the robotic instruments are removed from the body, the gas in the abdomen is evacuated, and the skin incisions are closed.

There are many benefits of robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery:

· Less pain

· Quicker return to normal function

· Improved cosmetic result

· Decreased risk of complications like infection

· Usually can go home same day

Many gynecologic surgeries can be performed via robotic surgery:

· Excision of endometriosis

· Hysterectomy

· Removal of ovarian cysts or the entire ovary

· Myomectomy

· Sacrocolpopexy

For some procedures, some patients may be candidates for single-incision robotic surgery. In single-incision robotics (also known as single port surgery), the only incision is in the belly button. 

Robotic surgery does provide unique advantages and may be the best option for some patients and some surgeries. 

The robotic camera is very high quality and allows for increased magnification. This is particularly useful for endometriosis surgery, where identifying suspicious pathology is key. 

The robot decreases surgeon fatigue, which is important if the planned surgery is longer than 2-3 hours. You want your surgeon to stay as fresh as possible throughout your entire surgery! If I anticipate a surgery to take longer than 3 hours, I will consider using the robot.