da Vinci Robotic Surgery

About the Da Vinci System

Our practice is excited to offer The da Vinci Robotic system as a surgical option for our patients. This is a state-of-the-art surgical system designed to help surgeons perform complicated surgeries once only achievable through large abdominal incisions with small incisions. The potential benefits over an abdominal incision include:

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss and need for transfusions
• Less risk of infection
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter recovery time
• Quicker return to most normal activities

Surgeons have enhanced abilities to perform complicated surgeries because the da Vinci Robot improves visualization of internal organs with a 3-D field of view, increases the precision of a surgeon’s movements, and expands a surgeon’s control over all surgical instruments.

Surgical Technique

Although it is called a “robot,” the da Vinci Surgical System cannot act on its own. Instead, every surgical maneuver is performed only under the precise control of a surgeon. The instruments used with the da Vinci robot usually measure less than an inch in length and approximately 1/4 of an inch in width. Thus, these tiny instruments can be inserted into the abdomen with very small 1/2 inch incisions.

Dr. Basinski and Dr. Juran are excited to offer this technology to their patients. This is a major advancement in the surgical approach to complicated female surgeries like sacrocolpopexy for pelvic prolapse repair, as well as even for . Please visit www.daVinciSurgery.com to view pictures of the robot and watch videos of the robot “in action.”

Uterosacral Ligament Suspension (non-mesh)

A uterosacral ligament suspension is an operation designed to restore support to the uterus (womb) or vaginal vault (top of the vagina in a woman who has had a hysterectomy). The uterosacral ligaments are strong, supportive structures that attach the cervix (neck of the womb) to the sacrum (bottom of the spine). Weakness and stretching of these ligaments can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse. A uterosacral ligament suspension involves stitching the uterosacral ligaments to the apex or top of the vagina, thereby restoring normal support to the top of the vagina. This operation can be done vaginally, abdominally or laparoscopically.

Colpocleisis (vaginal closure)

A colpocleisis is a surgery to correct pelvic organ prolapse for women who do not desire future vaginal intercourse and/or are in poor general health.

The surgery is performed by making an opening in the vagina and the tissue layer under the vaginal skin is reinforced with strong sutures in order to “fix the bulging.” The vaginal opening is also narrowed. The stitches will dissolve over a period of a few months and will not need to be removed.