May 5, 2020
Hysterectomy: When It’s Recommended and What You Need to Know
Chances are, you know a woman who has had a hysterectomy… in fact, you probably know several. In the United States, this procedure is so common that more than half a million women undergo a hysterectomy every year. This surgery rate is second only to a cesarean childbirth delivery (C-section).
Some of the reasons your physician may recommend a hysterectomy are: gynecologic cancer, problematic fibroids (benign uterine tumors), abnormal vaginal bleeding, uterine prolapse, chronic pelvic pain, and endometriosis that doesn’t respond to other treatments.
Methods
Minimally invasive techniques such as vaginal, laparoscopic, and robotics can be used when performing a hysterectomy. However, robotic surgery paired with skilled and experienced hands allow the option of performing the most difficult cases in a minimally invasive fashion.
Robotic surgery involves much smaller incisions, provides excellent visualization, and is incredibly accurate. It involves a series of small abdominal incisions that allow the robot access to the uterus and ovaries. The uterus can then be removed through the vagina or placed in a pouch and removed through the umbilicus (belly button). After the uterus is removed, the surgeon closes the incisions esthetically with stitches, surgical glue, and tape to allow for a quick recovery process and minimal scarring.
Because robotic surgery is so precise, incisions are smaller and result in less blood loss, less post-operative pain, and a shorter recovery time.
Not every gynecologist can perform these surgeries. To be considered an expert and consistently proficient, a surgeon needs to perform at least 75 robotic assisted hysterectomies. At Advanced GYN Solutions, Dr. G. Daniel Robison has performed nearly 1,000 of these over the course of his 20-year career.
Important Considerations
It is very important to understand that women who undergo hysterectomies do not automatically go into menopause.
Only women who have their ovaries removed will go through immediate surgical menopause when having a hysterectomy. They may require additional hormone treatments to manage their symptoms.
Specialized Care
As a board-certified expert in both Obstetrics and Gynecology (FACOG) and Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), G. Daniel Robison, IV, MD, has a great deal of experience treating the full range of gynecological conditions. He is one of the most experienced gynecologic surgeons in the region, and is a renowned expert in robotic surgery and often teaches the approach to other physicians. In addition to exceptional expertise, Dr. Robison is well known for his compassionate and respectful approach to women’s health.
If you have questions or concerns about GYN issues of any kind, please contact Advanced GYN Solutions for an appointment: 910.509.0103.