Robotic surgery, also called robotic-assisted surgery, is an advanced minimally invasive surgery. Rather than perform surgery through large, open incisions, surgeons who perform robotic surgery create several small incisions, called ports. A high-definition 3D camera, along with surgical instruments attached to robotic surgical arms, are inserted through the small incisions. Using controllers that mimic their hand movements, surgeons control the surgical instruments to perform procedures on the reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina and vulva.

The combination of the tiny instruments, the 3D camera and the robot’s skill allows the surgeon to reach areas of the anatomy that aren’t easily accessible with the hands.

Robotic surgery offers many benefits over traditional open surgery, including:

• Decreased pain after surgery

• Faster recovery time

• Fewer complications

• Less risk of infection

• Less scarring

• Shorter hospital stay

We offer gynecologic robotic surgery programs to serve patients in Louisiana and Mississippi. Find a location near you.

Our experienced surgeons offer the following gynecologic procedures:

• Correction of vaginal prolapse — when the uterus, vaginal walls or top of the vagina falls out of place

• Hysterectomies — removal of the uterus, and sometimes the cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries

• Pelvic reconstructive surgery

• Treatment for endometriosis — a condition where uterine lining grows outside of the uterus

• Tubal ligation reversal

• Urinary leakage/inconsistency procedures

• Uterine fibroid removal with robotic myomectomy — a procedure that preserves the uterus

One of the best benefits for the robotic approach to surgery is decreased time spent in the hospital. While people recover at different rates, the average hospital stay is several hours to one day after surgery. You can expect to return to many normal activities after four to six weeks.

Laparoscopic surgery is performed with surgical tools by hand and involves small incisions and the use of a thin rod with a camera attached to the end.

Robotic surgery is performed with the assistance of a robot, such as the da Vinci Surgical System.

Both surgeries are beneficial for decreased blood loss and hospital stays as opposed to traditional open surgery that may require a longer operative time and increased time in the hospital post-surgery.

We can perform robotic-assisted surgery on patients who may not have been a candidate at other hospitals, including overweight and obese patients. The best way to find out if you are a candidate for a robotic hysterectomy at Ochsner is to request an appointment with our gynecology team.