New Generation in Women’s Gynecological Surgery

Amazing medical advancement can make things so much better for patients and doctors alike.

Advancements have given us everything from antibiotics to electronic imaging to robotic surgical techniques. With each groundbreaking step, we are afforded new and better treatment options allowing us to improve the quality of care for our patients.

Until recently, surgical options included traditional open surgery or depending on the scope of the condition, pure laparoscopic surgery. Traditional surgery often involves a larger incision. To minimize trauma and blood loss, surgeons look to perform less invasive laparoscopic surgery using robotically controlled instruments smaller incisions and high definition cameras. However, traditional laparoscopic surgery has its limitations and has fallen out of favor for complex surgical procedures.

Thanks to recent breakthroughs in surgical technology, there is a new category of minimally invasive surgery. Through the use of the da Vinci Surgical System, surgeons can now offer a minimally invasive option for those complex surgical procedures.

This is great news for women. Commonly, after medication and non-invasive options fail to relieve symptoms, surgery is the most effective, next-step treatment option for a wide range of gynecologic conditions.

The remote instrumentation of the da Vinci robot offers better visualization of anatomy, which is critical when working around delicate and confined structures like the bladder, and the dexterity in robotically assisted surgeries allows range of motion greater than the human hand. The incisions are typically only one to two centimeters in length, which reduces scarring and shortens patient recovery time. This all translates to significantly lower post-operative pain and reduced hospital stay. In fact, women are able to get back on their feet and get back to enjoying life more quickly than ever before.

The use of the da Vinci technology is expanding all the time. While it can be used for many procedures, gynecologists and urologists have been among the first to adopt it because of the frequency of procedures that normally would require highly invasive surgery.

When it comes to your health, we at PWHC want the best for you. To learn more about this type of surgery, to discuss health issues or to schedule an appointment call the Pocatello Women’s Health Clinic at 208-232-6100.