NEWS FROM UT MEDICAL GROUP INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 15, 2009

Robotic Hysterectomy Offers Benefits Over Other Methods

Dr. Edward Stanford

A 16-month review of hysterectomies performed at a Texas teaching hospital has found that women who underwent robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy experienced less blood loss and shorter hospital stays those who had other types of hysterectomy. The results were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).

Hysterectomies are often performed to treat conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine bleeding, and uterine prolapse. Traditionally, the procedures require a large abdominal incision. But they often can be performed laparoscopically or vaginally, using what are called minimally invasive techniques. The benefits of minimally invasive procedures include less discomfort and faster recovery.

The hospital’s review compared cases of robotic total laparoscopic hysterectomy to total abdominal hysterectomy, total vaginal hysterectomy, and laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Their findings showed that the robotic approach resulted in less blood loss and shorter hospital stays than other methods, even though the procedure itself took longer to perform.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. each year. Women in the South are more likely to have the procedure than women in other areas of the country.

“Unfortunately, about 60 percent of hysterectomies performed in the Memphis area are still being done with large abdominal incisions,” says Dr. Edward Stanford, UT Medical Group Chief of Gynecologic Specialties and Chief of Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery/Female Pelvic Medicine. “Both robotic and laparoscopic hysterectomy offer benefits of minimally invasive surgery, such as fewer complications and quicker recovery. Robotic techniques, however, allow the surgeon to be even more precise in his or her movements. That increased dexterity is especially helpful in complex cases.”

Dr. Stanford uses the da Vinci® Surgical System at Methodist University Hospital to perform robotic-assisted gynecological procedures, including hysterectomy, myomectomy (uterine fibroid removal), and robotic colpopexy for vaginal prolapse and incontinence.

For more information on robotic surgery and the da Vinci system, visit the Intuitive Surgical. To read a summary of the hysterectomy review, visit the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. To make an appointment with Dr. Stanford or another UTMG gynecologist, call 901-866-8220.

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