Christie Clinic’s Gynecologist, Dr. Michael Smith performed his first da Vinci® Single-Site™ Hysterectomy on August 22. Led by Dr. Smith, the team performed the hysterectomy using Single-Site™ instruments on a da Vinci® System. The minimally invasive procedure is traditionally performed laparoscopically or robotically using multiple incisions, or by one large incision in an open surgery. Using robotic assistance, surgeons removed the uterus through an incision through the navel of approximately one inch.
The Food and Drug Administration cleared the specialized Single-Site instruments for use with the da Vinci System in Gynecology in February 2013. Da Vinci is a robotic surgical system widely used in complex minimally invasive surgery.
"Neither robotic surgery nor single-incision surgery is new, but combining the two to remove the uterus requires additional training and special equipment," says Dr. Smith. "To be one of the first providers in the area to offer this technically advanced surgery demonstrates Christie Clinic’s leadership in providing patients with the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgical options."
Dr. Smith is one of a small group of surgeons in the country who has received training to perform the surgery.
Potential benefits of Single-Site hysterectomy surgery may include virtually scarless results, minimal pain, low blood loss, fast recovery, a short hospital stay and high patient satisfaction. The surgery can be performed in about one hour with a typical hospital stay of less than 24 hours.
Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring three to five small incisions, this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly button where instruments are placed and the diseased uterus is removed.