Robotic Surgery

The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is now the surgical tool of choice by surgeons for select procedures. At AEVAFEM, we pride ourselves at being at the forefront of surgical care and offer patients with superior minimally invasive surgical options should they need surgery.

Dr Nikam and A/Professor Chan are accredited Robotic Surgeons who can provide this cutting edge technology to patients for select gynaecological procedures.

Dr Nikam and A/Professor Chan have undergone an intense training program including a certification program in the USA.

Robotics for gynaecological procedures:

Robotic-assisted surgery is a revolutionary way of performing surgery. In its developmental phase, robotic surgery was incredibly expensive and hence prohibitive for most hospitals and patients. However, with the advances in the technology, the cost has dropped significantly. This new form of surgery is now available in selected hospitals in NSW. It will increasingly be used to perform select complex Gynaecological procedures. The Robot provides a sophisticated tool for performing laparoscopic surgery, in which the surgeon is already an expert.
The proposed benefits are

  • Less pain & less need of pain medication
  • Less risk of complications
  • Quicker recovery
  • A shorter hospital stay

The robot cannot perform or make decisions about your surgery on its ownYour Surgeon is the primary operator and has full control of the robot at all times. It is a very intricate and complex new tool under the control of the surgeon. It provides the surgeon with a Magnified 3D – HD view, ability to work closer to the surgical field with more precision for complex surgery.

Which surgeries can be performed using the Robot?

  • Hysterectomy (removal of uterus)
  • Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
  • Pelvic Floor Repair (repair of apical prolapse)
  • Excision of Endometriosis
  • Fertility-sparing surgery

Are there risks associated with Robotic-assisted procedures?

Since Robotic Assisted Surgery is a type of laparoscopy (key hole surgery), it carries the same risks associated with laparoscopy. Patients who are not candidates for laparoscopy are also not candidates for Robotic Assisted Surgery. Any major gynaecological surgery, including robotic-assisted surgery have the risks of Infection, bleeding requiring blood transfusion, organ injury (bladder, ureter, bowel and blood vessels), formation of blood clots in legs and lungs and Conversion to open surgery.

Other rare risks are urinary dysfunction (cannot empty bladder, urgent or frequent need to urinate, slow or weak urinary stream), abnormal communication between vagina, bladder and rectum, spread of undiagnosed cancer when a uterus or fibroid are removed by morcellation (method by which a specimen to be removed is cut into small pieces inside the body for ease of removal) and temporary nerve injury due to positioning. Additionally, depending on your medical and surgical history, there might be other risks involved. It is important to disclose any relevant medical and surgical history to your treating doctor. Obesity and smoking worsen the associated risks. With good surgical techniques, these risks can be minimised.

Can all doctors perform robotic-assisted surgery?

The surgeon has to undergo intensive training to be able to utilise the robot. This includes online education, simulation, laboratory and hands-on training sessions. An expert robotic surgeon then mentors the surgeon by case observations & participation in live surgeries.

Prior to performing Robotic Assisted Surgery, the surgeon has to be credentialed to an RANZCOG Skill Level 6 for Advanced Operative Laparoscopy. The doctor has to participate in ongoing quality assurance programs to ensure appropriate use of the technology and, most importantly, patient safety.

Please click on the following link if you are interested in further reading.

www.davincisurgery.com