Robotic Surgery - The 21st Century Answer To Uterine Fibroids

Tumours can be of many kinds and may occur in different parts of the body. A uterine fibroid is one such tumour that grows in the uterus.

In recent times, a 20 to 40 percent incidence of uterine fibroids has been observed in women belonging to the reproductive age group.

These fibroids occur due to a local proliferation of the myometrial tissue. They can affect fertility and pregnancy while also distorting the uterus. This distortion increases blood supply to the uterus as well as the surface area of the endometrium—inner tissue lining of the uterus—causing bleeding disorders, and in rare cases, even cancer.

A Breakthrough Treatment Protocol

Advancements in Robotic Surgery have provided a safe option for the removal of uterine fibroids. 

Dr Neena Desai, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist and Robotic Surgeon at KIMS Hospitals, says that robotic Surgery is minimally invasive like laparoscopic surgery but with the advantage of higher magnification and dexterity.

As the instruments have finer tips and can be rotated 360 degrees, it’s easier to approach the fibroids from all angles. Magnification is also significant, ensuring effective cauterisation and reduced bleeding.

Moreover, as healthy tissues can be clearly distinguished from the diseased ones, only diseased tissues are removed, thereby reducing pain.

Even suturing is easier and the risk of bleeding and rupture during pregnancy is minimised.

Cases Where It’s Worked Wonders

The efficacy of Robotic Surgery can be seen in the case of an infertile woman with a large fibroid, which was removed using a robot. Bleeding was minimal and the patient was discharged in 24 hours. She was allowed to eat normal food by the evening on the day of surgery. 

This lady was discharged on the second postoperative day and even walked out on her own. She followed up regularly, soon conceived and had a normal pregnancy.

In another case, a 32-year-old woman with multiple fibroids was anxious to conceive. With robotic surgery, 8 fibroids of different sizes were removed, and after two years she conceived with IVF and had a successful pregnancy.

The key benefits experienced in all the cases was minimal blood loss, less pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and quicker return to normal activity