About 25 to 50 per cent of women experiencing infertility have endometriosis and 30 to 50 per cent of women with endometriosis are infertile, finds the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 2010. Robotic surgery for endometriosis can help with infertility. A robot allows the surgeon to do a meticulous dissection with minimal bleeding and scarring.

 

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Imagine the affected parts of the pelvic region being gently handled by the hands of a bot under the guidance of a doctor, that’s what robotic surgery almost looks like. Robotic surgeries in gynaecology are an upcoming, successful option that can treat millions of individuals with better results such as fewer blood transfusions, less blood loss, less pain, less risk of infections, and reduced hospitalisation. So, whether you or someone you know, is seeking surgical treatment for hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), myomectomy (removal of fibroids), endometriosis (cyst in ovary, pelvis), vaginal vault prolapse, or infertility, it’s worth understanding the benefits of robotic surgery over conventional laparoscopy.

 

A review that includes 55 studies (42 comparative and 32 non-comparative) and 25 women finds that robotic surgery is consistently connected to shorter post-surgical hospitalisation when compared to laparoscopic surgery , notes Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, 2017. Also, robotic surgery significantly reduces anxiety levels (the uncomfortable feeling about going “under the knife”) in patients, notes the Journal of Turkish-German Gynecological Association, 2019.

 

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What is robotic surgery, exactly?

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery is an innovation in gyneacology, that began in the year 2000 globally, where the surgeon operates from a computer console situated a little away from the patient.

 

Application of Robotic Surgery

Application of robotic surgery in gynaecology includes hysterectomy, myomectomy, endometriosis, vault suspension, and infertility. Here’s how robotic surgery benefits each of the procedures.

1. Hysterectomy

Robotic surgery is advisable in complex hysterectomy cases, especially when the patient is obese, or the woman had a cesarian or abdominal surgery in the past. In these cases, a doctor often advises robotic hysterectomy as it allows for three-dimensional vision, incredible control, precision, and flexibility. The main advantage a patient gets is that instead of big cuts, they undergo tiny abdominal incisions resulting in lesser blood loss and lower chances of infection.

 

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2. Myomectomy

A myomectomy is a procedure used to remove benign tumours known as fibroids from the uterine muscle wall. Fibroids cause a person to experience serious abdominal pain or heavy menstrual bleeding orprolonged periods. In some cases, it also prevents a couple from conceiving a baby. A robotic myomectomy allows for a minimally invasive way for surgeons to remove uterine fibroids. Another major advantage of robotic surgery is how it allows better suturing post removal of the fibroid. Robotic myomectomy also allows for a shorter hospital stay, fewer complications, and lesser blood loss, says Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

 

3. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the condition where tissues similar to the uterine lining grow outside the uterus. The tissues respond to the hormones during any period and bleed causing pelvic pain. When endometriosis involves an ovary, it forms cysts, and when it occurs in the pelvis it causes fibrosis, scarring, and adhesions. This causes extreme pain and sometimes results in infertility. Doing a cystectomy or adhesiolysis (releasing the adhesion) is more precise with robotic-assisted endometriosis surgeries. A camera provides a high-definition, 3D magnified view of inside the body helping the surgeon to operate using tiny, fully wristed instrument.

 

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4. Tuboplasty or other surgeries on the tube

Many times, the functionality of the fallopian tube gets affected when there are adhesions due to infections, endometriosis, or a family planning operation. Tuboplasty involves the reconstruction of fallopian tubes to restore their anatomy. A robot-assited tuboplasty offers advanced vision guidance and precision multi-axis control.