Robotic surgery gives women who need the gynecological procedure a less-invasive option.

A hysterectomy – removing all or part of a woman's uterus — can be an emotional experience for women, as it signals the end of their child-bearing years. On top of that, women may fear the process and the prospects of a long recovery time and scarring.

Robotic surgery can make the hysterectomy itself go a lot smoother, reduce the amount of pain experienced and help women return to their daily activities much faster than open surgery.

Plantation General Hospital uses the da Vinci Surgical System, a state-of-the-art robotic system that provides an alternative to traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy. The da Vinci System allows surgeons to make tiny incisions of 1 to 2 centimeters and operate with more precision and control, minimizing pain and risks.

Doctors may recommend a hysterectomy to treat certain kinds of cancers, fibroids, endometriosis or uterine prolapse, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The more invasive type of hysterectomy involves a surgeon making a 5- to 7-inch incision on the lower part of your abdomen. That kind of open surgery may involve a hospital stay of up to five days and a recovery period of about six to eight weeks.

Robotic surgery, however, can speed up the time it takes to recover. It has other benefits as well, including:

• Less pain
• Fewer complications
• Less blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay
• Reduced risk of wound infection

If your doctor tells you that you will need a hysterectomy, make sure you ask about the risks and benefits and find out if you are candidate for robotic surgery. Besides gynecological procedures, Plantation General Hospital also uses robotic surgery for colon surgeries and some general surgeries. If you would like more information on these procedures, you can call us at 1-888-256-7724.

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