Dr. Jennifer Hayes at the da Vinci® Surgical System
Dr. Hayes is excited to be able to offer minimally invasive robotic surgery as an option to patients who require a complex surgery for relief of their symptoms. She was the first benign gyn surgeon in the area to offer robotics as an option for patients.
When medication and non-invasive procedures are unable to relieve symptoms, surgery remains the accepted and most effective treatment for a range of benign gynecologic conditions. These include, but are not limited to, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse and menorrhagia or excessive bleeding.
...the robotic system seamlessly translates my hand movements into corresponding micro-movements of the miniaturized instruments positioned inside the patient. Two robotic arms, representing my left and right hands, hold the proprietary instruments. The instruments–which have more range of motion than the human hand–are inserted into patients through 1-2 cm incisions. The third arm holds the 3D camera, which I can easily reposition, zoom and rotate to adjust to my field of vision, from the console. The da Vinci System delivers a highly magnified view of the operative field, with bright, crisp images and natural depth-of-field, which enables me to perform delicate tissue dissection and suture with added precision–even in confined spaces.
Traditional open gynecologic surgery, using a large incision for access to the uterus and surrounding anatomy, has for many years been the standard approach to many gynecologic procedures. Yet with open surgery can come significant pain, trauma, a long recovery process and threat to surrounding organs and nerves. For women facing gynecologic surgery, the period of pain, discomfort and extended time away from normal daily activities that usually follows traditional surgery can understandably cause significant anxiety.
Fortunately, less invasive options are available. Some gynecologic procedures enable surgeons to access the target anatomy using a vaginal approach, which may not require an external incision. But for complex hysterectomies and other gynecologic procedures, robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System may be the most effective, least invasive treatment option. Through tiny, 1-2 cm incisions, surgeons using the da Vinci System* can operate with greater precision and control, minimizing the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes.
The da Vinci is a state-of-the-art robotic-system designed to expand the surgeon’s capabilities, providing patients with a minimally invasive option for many complex procedures. According to Dr. Hayes, “the robotic system seamlessly translates my hand movements into corresponding micro-movements of the miniaturized instruments positioned inside the patient. Two robotic arms, representing my left and right hands, hold the proprietary instruments. The instruments–which have more range of motion than the human hand–are inserted into patients through 1-2 cm incisions. The third arm holds the 3D camera, which I can easily reposition, zoom and rotate to adjust to my field of vision, from the console. The da Vinci System delivers a highly magnified view of the operative field, with bright, crisp images and natural depth-of-field, which enables me to perform delicate tissue dissection and suture with added precision–even in confined spaces.”
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.
