Hysterectomy (Partial or Total)

You’ve tried everything.  Maybe medication. Maybe initial surgery. And after all that, you’re still faced with the need for a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure that removes a woman’s uterus and/ or ovaries.  There are a number of reasons why a hysterectomy may be the only remaining option (including cervical and uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse and menorrhagia or excessive bleeding).  But the thought of a hysterectomy may be confusing and frightening. 

Rumors and personal accounts from friends or family tend to make the decision about this type of surgery even more difficult for a woman to make.  Often that’s because more than 65% of the hysterectomies in this country are performed as traditional surgery.  

Traditional surgery sometimes means a large incision in order for a surgeon to access the uterus.  Following the surgery, women sometimes experience pain or discomfort and a lengthy recovery before returning to normal daily activities.

For many women needing certain procedures, there is now an alternative that is the most effective treatment without the usual side effects of surgery and a lengthy recovery.


Hysterectomy


Through tiny, 1-2 cm incisions (each about the size of a dime), surgeons can operate with greater precision and control using a new technology called robotic surgery. 

Unlike what your first impression may be, robotic surgery is performed with a surgeon seated at a special console that mimics the hand movements that are necessary for your type of surgery.  Those hand movements are translated precisely to a series of “arms” containing tiny instruments that perform the actual surgery.  The value of robotic surgery to the surgeon is that the technology acts as an extension of the surgeon’s eyes and hands providing twice the clearness and a larger view of the surgical area. 

One robotic procedure, in particular, relieves the pain and discomfort of a common health issue of many women— uterine fibroids —which are noncancerous tumors that develop within or attach to the wall of the uterus, a female reproductive organ.  Women who have fibroids may be faced with a hysterectomy as their only alternative.

Laparoscopy

Robotic surgery can be also used to perform a procedure known as laparoscopy.  Laparoscopy is used to diagnose and treat a condition called endometriosis where the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body. The tissue growth often occurs in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus or on the ovaries.

Myomectomy

With robotic technology, a robotic surgeon performs a procedure called a myomectomy that removes the fibroids and rebuilds the uterine wall which helps prevent the possibility of a uterine tear. This is important to women who are still in their child-bearing years because the surgery creates the opportunity for future pregnancies.

This is one of many benefits of robotic surgery which includes:
                  
• Significantly less pain with surgery
• Less blood loss
• Fewer complications
• Less scarring
• A shorter hospital stay
• A faster return to normal daily activities

If you suffer from any of the conditions listed here, contact one of the robotically-trained obstetric and gynecology physicians on the North Kansas City Hospital medical staff.  Click here for a list of these physicians.

Remember, robotic surgery may not be appropriate for every individual and individual results may vary. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as the risks and benefits.