The daVinci Surgical System

The daVinci® Surgical System is a robotic device designed to be used during minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries. It is currently being used in a variety of specialties and has been present in gynecologic procedures since the FDA approved its use in 2005. The following physicians at Virginia Women's Center are trained to use this surgical tool: Katherine Czyszczon, Douglas Hutcheson, Leigh Lewis, Elizabeth Roberts, Peter Wilbanks and Heather Zechman. 

In laparoscopy, physicians perform surgery through small incisions that are usually 2 cm or less. In order for the physician to visualize the surgery site, a camera is attached to a lens and is placed inside the patient's abdomen. Minimally invasive surgical procedures have several advantages to the patient versus traditional "open" surgery, where there is a large incision. Some of these advantages include: shorter recovery time, less postoperative pain, less blood loss and fewer postoperative infections. The daVinci® Surgical System offers the physician advantages of visualization and instrument precision that can allow these procedures to be performed in more complicated cases, therefore extending the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to more patients than ever. 

When using the daVinci® Surgical System. the surgeon has a three dimensional view of the surgical site as opposed to in traditional laparoscopy, where there is a two dimensional view. The instruments of the daVinci® Surgical System have "wristed" movement in constrast to the traditional "straight sticks" used in laparoscopy. These wrists can actually move with more degrees of motion than the human arm. Even though the term "robot" is used, the activities of the daVinci® Surgical System are performed under the direct control of the surgeon, not in an automatic or programmed fashion. The system cannot perform any function without the surgeon sitting at the control console with his or her hands in the controls.

The following procedures can be performed by Virginia Women's Center physicians using the daVinci® Surgical System:

  • Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and/or ovaries)
  • Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
  • Removal of endometriosis
  • Surgical treatment of ovarian cysts

 

In the future, we expect to use the daVinci® Surgical System for sacrocolpopexy, which is a technique for pelvic prolapse repair.

If you are interested in learning more or are wondering whether you are a candidate for this type of surgical approach, please speak with your VWC provider. This approach is not appropriate for every patient and, just like any surgery, is associated with risks including damage to nearby organs, blood vessels, nerves, bladder, bleeding and infection. In addition, minimally invasive approaches of all kinds include the risk of conversion to an "open" procedures, or one that has to occur through a larger incision.

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