da Vinci Myomectomy

Each year, roughly 65,000 myomectomies are performed in the U.S.¹ The conventional approach to myomectomy is open surgery, through a large abdominal incision.² After cutting around and removing each uterine fibroid, the surgeon must carefully repair the uterine wall to minimize potential uterine bleeding, infection and scarring. Proper repair is also critical to reducing the risk of uterine rupture during future pregnancies.

While myomectomy is also performed laparoscopically, this approach can be challenging for the surgeon, and may compromise results compared to open surgery.³ Laparoscopic myomectomies often take longer than open abdominal myomectomies, and up to 28% are converted during surgery to an open abdominal incision.⁴ Myomectomy can be a uterine-preserving alternative to open abdominal hysterectomy.

A new category of minimally invasive myomectomy, da Vinci® Myomectomy, combines the best of open and laparoscopic surgery. With the assistance of the da Vinci® Surgical System - the latest evolution in robotics technology - surgeons may remove uterine fibroids through small incisions with unmatched precision and control. Among the potential benefits of da Vinci Myomectomy as compared to traditional open abdominal surgery are:

• Opportunity for future pregnancy
• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Fewer complications
• Less scarring
• A shorter hospital stay
• A faster return to normal daily activities

da Vinci Myomectomy is performed with the da Vinci Surgical System, which allows your surgeon to perform a minimally invasive, yet remarkably precise, comprehensive reconstruction of the uterine wall, regardless of the size or location of your fibroids. The unique level of control and precision provided by da Vinci also can help your surgeon give the most precise and thorough reconstruction possible, helping to prevent possible uterine rupture (tearing) during future pregnancies.

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is both patient- and procedure-specific. While myomectomy performed using the da Vinci Surgical System is considered safe and effective, this procedure may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

* Uterine fibroids are also called fibroids, uterine tumors, leiomyomata (singular - leiomyoma) and myomas or myomata (singular - myoma)

Are You a Candidate for da Vinci Surgery?

The following physicians are trained to use the da Vinci Surgical System at Lourdes for gynecological procedures:

Only you and your doctor can decide if da Vinci Surgery may be right for you.

1. Lumsden MA. Embolization Versus Myomectomy Versus Hysterectomy: Which is Best, When? Hum Reprod. 2002; 17:253-259. Review.
2. Becker ER, Spalding J, DuChane J, Horowitz IR. Inpatient Surgical Treatment Patterns for Patients with Uterine Fibroids in the United States, 1998-2002. J Natl Med Assoc. 2005 Oct;97(10):1336-42.
3. Wolanske KA, Gordon, RL. Uterine Artery Embolization: Where Does it Stand in the Management of Uterine Leiomyomas? Part 2. Appl Radiol 33(10):18-25, 2004. Medscape.10/27/2004.
4. Advincula AP, Song A, Burke W, Reynolds RK. Preliminary Experience with Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Myomectomy. J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 2004 Nov;11(4):511-8.