AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is the first hospital in Florida, United States, to perform a new, minimally invasive robotic hysterectomy. The innovative procedure provides a new option for women who need to have their uterus removed and desire a procedure that will leave them with no visible scars, and a shorter hospital stay.

Dr. Olufunke Abiose and Dr. Gerard Jackson perform the surgery at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, combining the superior recovery times of vaginal surgery with the precision of robotic surgery to perform the da Vinci vNOTES Hysterectomy. vNOTES stands for vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

“As a surgeon, I am continually pursuing advanced training and innovative techniques to offer my patients the least invasive and most effective surgical options available,” Dr. Abiose said. “Many of my patients are pleasantly surprised by how quickly they can return to their daily routines after surgery. Incorporating robotic-assisted technology into vaginal procedures adds a new level of precision and control.”

In the U.S., about 500,000 hysterectomies are performed each year for women with chronic pain, fibroids, uterine prolapse, heavy bleeding, endometriosis, and precancerous or cancerous tumors. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists have recommended vaginal hysterectomy, whenever feasible, as the approach of choice.

During the daVinci vNOTES procedure, a device known as the GelPOINT® V-Path transvaginal access platform is placed through the vagina into the pelvic cavity, giving access to the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide the surgeon with the necessary space to see and operate. A high-definition camera, robotic arm, and specialized instruments are inserted through the device, allowing surgeons to operate with the utmost precision and visualization.

Along with leaving no visible scars, the da Vinci vNOTES procedure offers patients a vaginal gynecological surgery option with less pain after the operation, and a faster recovery compared to the traditional laparoscopic approach, where surgeons make small incisions in the abdomen to remove the uterus.

“We are grateful to be able to offer this procedure to our patients at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Using this leading-edge technology, the vast majority of our patients are able to leave the hospital the same day they were admitted and since this procedure avoids abdominal incisions, it typically results in a lesser need for pain medication,” said Dr. Robert Rosequist, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

The original article was published on the AdventHealth news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.