Pennsylvania Hospital's First Robotic Surgery
For women with a gynecologic condition, the decision to have surgery can be difficult. Surgical recovery time can now be shortened due to advances in robotic technology.
Robotic gynecologic surgery can be used to treat conditions including cervical and uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse and excessive bleeding.
The first robotic surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital was recently performed by Thomas Randall, MD, chief of Gynecologic Oncology, on December 17, 2008. Dr. Randall used the robotic surgical system to remove an enlarged fibroid uterus through only five, small incisions.
Surgeons began using the surgical robot to treat gynecologic conditions in 2005. Both physicians and patients can benefit from this new technology.
“[The robot] gives the surgeon a high definition, three-dimensional view of the surgical area,” said Dr. Randall. “With the robot, we have finer, more complex control of the laparoscopic instruments, which makes minimally invasive surgery faster and safer for our patients.”
The benefits of robotic surgery include:
- Smaller incisions/less scarring
- Significantly less pain
- Less blood loss
- Shorter recovery time
- Faster return to normal daily activities
About Robotic-assisted Surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery is similar to other forms of minimally invasive surgery in that instruments and cameras are inserted through small incisions. It is important to note that the surgeon controls all instruments in robotic surgery. The surgery is not performed by a pre-programmed robot.
The surgeon sits at a console next to the patient. Looking into a viewfinder at the three-dimensional, high quality image sent back by the cameras, the surgeon works the surgical “arms” using hand and foot controls. The quality of the images and precise movement of the surgical arms essentially puts the surgeon right next to the area in which he or she is operating.
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Home to five robotic surgical systems, Penn’s program is one of the largest in the nation. Penn surgeons perform more robotic gynecologic surgeries than any other program in the Philadelphia region. Penn currently offers robotic gynecologic procedures for:
- Hysterectomy
- Removal of fibroids, ovaries, and cysts
- Tubal reversal
- Pelvic reconstructive surgery
Locations
Minimally invasive gynecologic robotic surgery is offered at the following locations:
Pennsylvania Hospital
800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Penn gynecologic surgeon, call 800-789-PENN (7366).
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