About da Vinci® Surgery
Endometriosis Treatment Options
Surgery
When the symptoms of endometriosis are severe or affect a woman’s quality of life, surgery is often recommended. There are two surgical options for treating endometriosis:
Endometriosis resection – This involves removal of endometrial tissue implants while leaving the uterus in place. Endometriosis resection is usually recommended for women who want to become pregnant in the future.
Hysterectomy – This procedure involves removing the uterus and other organs affected by endometriosis, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Hysterectomy is often recommended for patients who do not desire a future pregnancy.
Endometriosis resection and hysterectomy can be performed with minimally invasive surgery known as laparoscopy or traditional open surgery known as laparotomy.
Laparoscopy
This is a minimally invasive procedure in which surgical instruments are inserted through small abdominal incisions to remove the implants or organ(s). One of the instruments is a laparoscope – a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera at the end. Laparoscopy requires the use of long-handled, rigid instruments which can present limitations during complex and delicate operations that require greater precision or dexterity.
Laparotomy
Laparotomy is traditional open surgery performed using a long abdominal incision and typically requires a long recovery. Laparotomy may be used to remove large implants that cannot be reached with a laparoscope. Laparotomy may also be recommended when pelvic organs such as your bowel are involved.
Fortunately, there is a minimally invasive option for treating endometriosis designed to overcome the limits of traditional open and laparoscopic surgery – da Vinci Surgery.
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While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctor about da Vinci Surgery are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. All people depicted unless otherwise noted are models. © 2011 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved. Intuitive, Intuitive Surgical, da Vinci, da Vinci S, da Vinci Si, Single-Site, InSite, TilePro and EndoWrist are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
*Compared to open surgery
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