Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes all or part of the uterus. Traditionally, surgeons performed hysterectomy through open surgery, which requires a large incision in your belly. The surgeon looks directly at the surgical area through the large incision and removes the uterus using hand-held tools.

It is becoming increasingly common for surgeons to offer minimally invasive hysterectomy. Minimally invasive procedures require either one or a few small incisions on your abdomen.

Dr. Azer is an expert in both multi incisions and singe incision techniques. Some of these minimally-invasive approaches rely on surgical robots, specially-designed instruments that can be controlled by the surgeon while viewing the surgery on a computer screen, similar to a laparoscopic procedure.

In robotic hysterectomy, the robot does not “perform” the surgery, but instead acts as a tool guided by the surgeon to perform certain parts of the procedure with enhanced accuracy and precision.

Our practice uses the da Vinci surgical robot system which has been proved in hundreds of studies in the medical literature to improve patient’s outcomes, reduce bleeding and tissue injury, and rapid recovery and return to regular life activities and work.

Robotic hysterectomy is usually performed under general anesthesia. Prior to surgery, a through history taking and head to toe physical examination is crucial to determine the best surgical approach. Robot-assisted hysterectomy uses much smaller incisions compared to traditional open hysterectomy, usually not exceeding 8MM each . Once the incisions are made, the instruments including the “arm” of the surgical robot will be inserted into the surgical site and a special  camera will transmit highly-detailed 3D images to the monitor, enabling the surgeon to gain a clear view of the surgical site throughout the procedure. During the procedure, the robot will be used to assist the surgeon during specific parts of the surgery, mimicking the hand movements of the doctor and enhancing those motions for much greater precision. Following the procedure, the incisions will be closed using very small absorbable sutures underneath the skin or surgical glue. Most patients get discharged home the same day after surgery, some will have a one-night hospital stay for recovery and observation.

Robot-assisted hysterectomy can be an ideal choice for many women, but it’s not always the best choice. A presurgical examination will help determine which approach is the optimal option for you.