Hysterectomy

Physicians perform hysterectomy - the surgical removal of the uterus - to treat a wide variety of uterine conditions. Each year in the U.S. alone, doctors perform approximately 600,000 hysterectomies, making it the second most common surgical procedure.

Types of Hysterectomy

There are various types of hysterectomy that are performed depending on the patient's diagnosis:

• Supracervical hysterectomy - removes the uterus, leaves cervix intact
• Total hysterectomy - removes the uterus and cervix
• Radical hysterectomy or modified radical hysterectomy - a more extensive surgery for gynecologic cancer a radical hysterectomy includes removing the uterus and cervix and may also remove part of the vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries and lymph nodes in order to stage the cancer (determine how far it has spread).

At Fremont Health Medical Center, the majority of hysterectomies are performed utilizing the da Vinci^® robotic-assisted surgical system.

da Vinci Hysterectomy

If your doctor recommends hysterectomy, you may be a candidate for da Vinci Hysterectomy, one of the most effective, least invasive treatment options for a range of uterine conditions. da Vinci Hysterectomy is performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, which enables surgeons to perform with unmatched precision and control - using only a few small incisions.

da Vinci Hysterectomy offers numerous potential benefits over traditional approaches to vaginal, laparoscopic or open abdominal hysterectomy, particularly when performing more challenging procedures like radical hysterectomy for gynecologic cancer. Potential benefits include: 

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Fewer complications
• Less scarring
• A shorter hospital stay
• A faster return to normal daily activities

With the da Vinci, the surgeon sits in an ergonomic console just a few feet from the patient and views the surgical site through the high definition, 3-dimensional viewer (at 10 times the magnification of traditional surgery. The robot sits above the patient. It has several mechanical arms that hold a camera as well as surgical instruments. The surgeon uses hand controls and foot pedals to manipulate the robotic arms.