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Minimally Invasive and Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Fort Sanders Women’s Specialists uses advanced technology in many women’s surgical procedures.

young female patient smiling at female nurse

Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures are among our specialties. Our expert gynecologists are board certified and recognized regionally for advanced skills in laparoscopic and da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery. We understand the natural anxiety over the serious decision to undergo surgery, so before surgery we will assist you in exploring all of your options, including non-surgical treatments, so you can make an informed decision.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (or minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy, or simply laparoscopic surgery) is considered our treatment of choice for the majority of gynecologic procedures. There are advantages to minimally invasive surgery, including:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Less pain and blood loss
  • Many procedures, such as hysterectomy, are performed on an outpatient basis
  • Shorter hospital stay for inpatient procedures
  • Quicker recovery

At Fort Sanders Women’s Specialists, more than 95% of our hysterectomies are performed using minimally invasive surgery. According to the American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery (AIMIS), the national average is 30%. Hysterectomies are the second most common surgery among women – nearly a third of all women will need this procedure during their lifetime.

Standard laparoscopy offers patients the smallest and most cosmetic incisions.

We also offer minimally invasive techniques for correction of stress urinary incontinence (urinary leakage treatment) using bladder slings, as well as minimally invasive techniques for pelvic floor prolapse

Fort Sanders Women’s Specialists and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center have been nationally recognized for excellence in women’s minimally invasive surgery. 

Robotic-Assisted Surgery

The ultimate in high-tech laparoscopy is da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery. The da Vinci system offers your surgeon an unparalleled high-resolution, three-dimensional view while performing your surgery, allowing more precise surgical techniques. This system requires only a few small incisions which, when compared to traditional open surgery, results in shorter hospital stays, less blood loss and scarring, and a faster recovery. 

We have five talented robotic surgeons: Dr. McKeown, Dr. Pipkin, Dr. Mabe, Dr. Lewis, and Dr. Traver.

Procedures that can be accomplished with da Vinci robotic assistance include:

  • Hysterectomy – removal of the uterus
  • Myomectomy – removal of fibroids from the uterus
  • Sacrocolpopexy – a procedure where a synthetic mesh isused to support pelvic prolapse
  • Other complicated laparoscopic surgeries

For all procedures performed by Fort Sanders Women’s Specialists, patients have our resources, our expertise and our promise of compassionate and complete surgical care.

 

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