Robot Assisted Surgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is robot-assisted surgery for GYN cancer?
Robot-assisted surgery for GYN cancer means that the surgeon is using a robotic platform, like the da Vinci Surgical System we use at UMMC, to perform a hysterectomy and lymph node dissection in a minimally invasive manner. Robot-assisted surgery for GYN cancer only requires a few small incisions in the patient's abdomen through which the instruments attached to the robotic platform can be inserted into the body. These instruments mimic the surgeon's hand and wrist movements, and are completely controlled by the surgeon at a nearby console.
What types of GYN cancer can be treated with robot-assisted surgery?
Both endometrial cancer and early-stage cervical cancer that require a radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection can be treated with robot-assisted surgery.
How safe is robot-assisted surgery for GYN cancer?
Performing a hysterectomy or lymph node dissection using robotic surgery is completely safe for the patient. This surgical technology has been approved by the FDA since 2005, and since then, over 100,000 robot-assisted hysterectomies have been performed throughout the United States.
How is robot-assisted surgery for GYN cancer different from open surgery and laparoscopy?
A traditional hysterectomy and lymph node dissection (the most common treatment option for patients diagnosed with GYN cancer) requires a long vertical incision from the pubic bone to just above the navel. This size of this incision can result in a lengthy recovery of approximately six weeks and an increased risk of infection for some patients. Patients are also often left with a large scar and some abdominal muscle weakness following the procedure.
Both laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgery require smaller incisions, which result in a quicker recovery for the patient and decreased risk of infection. With laparoscopy, however, it feels almost like the surgeon is using chopsticks to perform the operation. The tools used to perform laparoscopic procedures are rigid and do not allow for the extended range of mobility offered by the instruments used during robot-assisted surgery. As a result, procedures that are often challenging to perform with laparoscopy are made easier with robot-assisted surgery.
Does robot-assisted surgery eliminate the need for a real surgeon?
No, the surgeon is in control of the entire surgical system throughout the procedure. Although the robot allows the surgeon to make more precise hand and wrist movements, it cannot be programmed to perform surgery on its own. All maneuvers must be performed by a qualified surgeon.
Could I be a candidate for robot-assisted surgery for GYN cancer?
There are a number of factors that will determine whether or not a patient is eligible to be treated with robot-assisted surgery, including:
- The type of GYN cancer
- The stage of the cancer
- The size and shape of the tumor
- The age and general health of the patient
What are the advantages of robotic surgery for GYN cancer?
Patients who have robotic surgery have been shown to have less pain after surgery, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. The four small incisions causes only minimal scarring after healing.
What are the advantages for the surgeon?
Generally speaking, using robot-assisted surgery to help treat GYN cancer makes it much easier to perform complex surgical procedures because of the robot's articulating instruments. Other benefits include a higher level of surgical precision, increased range of motion, and improved access to the affected area within the patient's body.
