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Robotic Myomectomy

Could Robotic Surgery Help You Conceive?

By Teri Brown

Myomectomy is a procedure in which uterine fibroids are surgically removed from the uterus. Uterine fibroids (also known as myomas) affect 30 percent of women. While many fibroids do not need treatment, others can cause abnormal uterine bleeding, pressure, pain or other symptoms. Uterine fibroids are the most common growth in females and can cause havoc with conception.

"Removing the entire uterus (hysterectomy) is frequently done to treat fibroids, but many women are looking for alternatives to hysterectomy if they wish to have children or simply do not want to lose their uterus," Dr. Pitter says.

According to Dr. Pitter, a traditional myomectomy is often performed through a large abdominal incision. After removing each fibroid, the surgeon carefully repairs the uterus, to minimize potential bleeding, infection and scarring. Proper repair of the uterus is critical to reducing the risk of uterine rupture during pregnancy, which could result in loss of the pregnancy or potentially life-threatening bleeding.

The robotic system used by surgeons at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center consists of a surgeon's console, a patient side cart, a high performance 3-D vision system and Endo Wrist articulating instruments. The doctor sits at a console and never actually touches the patient – micro-instruments work within the operative site while the doctor dictates the instrumental movement from the console.

"With robotic surgery, the surgeon is able to operate through several small incisions about the size of a dime," Dr. Pitter says. "A surgeon performing a robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy is able to perform the same complex and delicate procedures as the traditional approach without compromising the outcome or patient safety."

Want to see more?

• An Ounce of Infertility Prevention: 15 Simple Ways to Prevent Infertility
• Uterine Factors: How Abnormalities of the Uterus Contribute to Infertility
• The Next Step: When Is it Time to See an Infertility Specialist?
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