Robotic-Assisted Procedures
Holy Cross Health has been a pioneer in the use of robotics in surgery—and Holy Cross Hospital was the first hospital in Montgomery County to offer robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery. Today, two da Vinci® Si surgical systems are being used at Holy Cross Hospital and the latest model, the da Vinci Xi is being used at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital to perform minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries.
During robot-assisted gynecologic surgery, small incisions are used to insert cameras and instruments. These tools are guided by the surgeon through robotic arms. In some instances, robotic surgery can be performed with just one incision. A single port in the navel allows the surgeon to insert multiple instruments to work at the same time.
The robot replicates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise real-time movements. High resolution, three-dimensional images on a video screen allow surgeons to perform more intricate—and more delicate procedures. For patients, robot-assisted laparoscopy in gynecologic surgery means they can be in and out of the hospital the same day with less tissue trauma, less pain, fewer complications, a better cosmetic result and faster recovery.
Gynecologic procedures that are performed with robotic assistance include:
- Hysterectomy for fibroids, uterine cancer, and cervical cancer
- Myomectomy to remove fibroid tumors from the uterus
- Lymph node removal in gynecologic cancers