The South Carolina Institute for Robotic Surgery has expanded its use of robotic-assisted surgery to offer a single-site hysterectomy procedure. On September 10, 2014, Dr. Ron Givens of Lowcountry Women’s Specialists performed the first robotic-assisted single-site hysterectomy in the region at Summerville Medical Center. Megan Bone, a 30 year-old Summerville resident, is now the Charleston area’s first single-site hysterectomy patient. Dr. Givens is among a small group of surgeons in the nation trained to perform this advanced procedure.
Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is the second most common surgical procedure for women in the United States. An estimated one-third of all women will have a hysterectomy by age 60, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Compared to a traditional hysterectomy, a robotic-assisted procedure is minimally invasive and helps women return to their normal activities more quickly. The surgery is performed in less than one hour and many patients return home within four hours and nearly all go home within 24 hours. Intuitive Surgical’s daVinci robotic surgery system also allows for a single incision hidden within the belly button, compared to traditional laparoscopic surgeries, which require three to five small visible incisions.
“The cosmetic results of a hysterectomy can weigh heavily on women,” Dr. Givens said. “This new single-site procedure gives women a surgical option that leaves virtually no scar.”
About Robotic-Assisted Surgery at The Institute
Robotic-assisted surgery, like other minimally invasive surgery, utilizes cameras and instruments that are inserted through small incisions in a patient’s body. The advantage is that the surgeon utilizes the hand controls of a nearby console to control the robotic arms during a procedure. Through the console’s viewfinder, the surgeon sees high resolution, 3D images of the surgical site. The quality of the images and the precision of the surgical arms enable the surgeon to provide optimal care to their patients. The South Carolina Institute for Robotic Surgery is made up of a team of 23 robotically-trained surgeons. In addition to gynecologic surgery, The Institute’s use of the daVinci system includes urologic surgery and general surgery. For more information, call (843) 797-3463 or visit http://scrobotics.com/