A hysterectomy is defined as the removal of a woman’s uterus via surgery. There are many reasons why uterus removal becomes necessary such as the presence of uterine fibroids, which cause pain and bleeding or uterine prolapse, which causes the uterus to slide into the vaginal canal.
Endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, or ovarian cancer that don’t respond to other treatment methods may be treated using a hysterectomy. Without a uterus, a woman can no longer become pregnant. The surgical procedure is permanent and cannot be reversed.
While hysterectomy is major surgery, advances in robotic technology have made it possible for women to have minimally-invasive hysterectomies. This type of hysterectomy is called laparoscopic hysterectomy.
Not all women are good candidates for a laparoscopic hysterectomy – only a doctor can determine if you are right for the procedure.
What is a Laparoscopic Hysterectomy?
Unlike the traditional open hysterectomy, which involves the surgeon making a big incision to perform the procedure, laparoscopic hysterectomy or robotic hysterectomy involves assistance by robotic technology. It allows the surgeon to perform a hysterectomy with smaller incisions. Using a laparoscope inserted through your abdomen, the surgeon can get a full view of your pelvic organs, allowing for much better surgical precision and no need to physically open up the entire area to get a visual. A robotic hand, which bends and rotates better than the human hand will assist the surgeon in the procedure.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is either total or assisted. In a total laparoscopic hysterectomy, the operation is performed intra-abdominally using a laparoscope, and the uterus is removed through the vaginal canal. In a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, the surgical operation is performed intra-abdominally and trans-vaginally. It is usually recommended for patients with existing scar tissue on organs due to previous surgeries.
Advantages of a Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can head home to recover on the same day of the surgery. Recovery from laparoscopic hysterectomy usually takes a few weeks. This is much better than the recovery time following a traditional hysterectomy, which often requires a hospital stay and several weeks to fully recover. Recovery for the procedure will include the use of pain relievers and physical rehabilitation. Patients can usually return to work a few weeks after surgery. Returning to normal physical activities is encouraged to help regain strength and mobility.
Patients who have undergone laparoscopic hysterectomies report less discomfort and post-operative pain compared to patients who underwent traditional hysterectomies. Moreover, recovery time is also faster with laparoscopic hysterectomies because the procedures are minimally invasive and require much smaller incisions. There is also less blood loss and lower risk of infection with laparoscopic hysterectomies.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in North Miami, Florida
At Levin’s Women’s Health & Wellness Center, we use the most advanced gynecological surgical system that provides our surgeons with a 3D view of your pelvic organs for the laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure. The da Vinci robotic surgery guarantees less pain and scarring and a shorter recovery time.
To find out if you are a good candidate for this state-of-the-art procedure, call us at (305) 981-0231 or request an appointment now. We warmly welcome you to our facility in North Miami and look forward to serving you.