Robotic surgery in gynaecology: Greater precision and faster recovery

Thanks to advances in technology and their application in the operating room, patients can enjoy the benefits of improved surgical accuracy achieved through robotic surgery, including faster recovery and less post-operative pain. To tell us more above how robotic technology is applied in gynaecological surgery and the key benefits of this approach, we invited highly esteemed consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Mr Amer Raza to share his expert insight in this informative guide.

Robotic surgery in gynaecology

Robotic surgery is simply an extension of the now well-known keyhole, minimally-invasive, or laparoscopic surgical approach. The robotic system is just another piece of equipment that we can make use of to provide surgery which is very accurate and precise due to a number of factors.
 

Which types of procedures can be performed using a robotic surgical approach?

In gynaecological surgery, the most common operations we perform are laparoscopic total hysterectomy, endometriosis excision, removing large fibroids, and removing ovarian cysts. These operations are conventionally done with a keyhole surgery. However, we are now able to use the robotic system to perform these operations with much greater precision and accuracy.

What are the key benefits of robotic surgery in gynaecological procedures?

The benefits of robotic surgery stem from the fact that it uses instruments which are much more precise as compared to a surgeon using instruments with their own hands. That precision leads to less trauma inside the patient, specifically less trauma on the tissue, less bleeding, and an overall more accurate operation.

The DaVinci robotic system provides me with a 3D visual image during the operation. This immersive technology allows me to remove, or excise, tissue very close to ureter, nerves, blood vessels without causing any damage. Given that the surgery is so precise, this causes less tissue trauma, resulting in lesser pain after the operation, quicker patient recovery and shorter hospital stays.

How does the use of robotic surgery impact on patient experience?

In my own practice, since we have begun performing gynaecology operations using a robotic surgical approach, I have observed a difference in recovery outcomes between patients who underwent robotic surgery and those who had laparoscopic surgery. Although this difference is often subtle, it makes a huge impact for patients on an individual level. Improved recovery times can mean that patients can go home from hospital earlier, have less post-operative pain, and return to work or other daily activities more quickly. For all of these reasons, robotic surgery has many benefits for patients undergoing gynaecological operations.




If you require gynaecological surgery and wish to discuss the possibility of undergoing a procedure using robotics, you can schedule a consultation with Mr Raza by visiting his Top Doctors profile.