Crestwood Surgeon First in the State to Perform Hysterectomy through Belly Button Incision with da Vinci® Si System

7/26/2013

Huntsville, AL - A surgical team at Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville, Alabama, performed the first da Vinci® Single-Site™ Hysterectomy in the state of Alabama on July 25, 2013. The patient’s uterus was removed through one tiny incision in the belly button, making the procedure virtually scar-less.

Led by Michael Conrad, M.D., the team removed the uterus using Single-Site™ instruments on a da Vinci® Si 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 of approximately one inch.

Dr. Conrad is one of a small group of surgeons in the country who has received training to perform the surgery. "Neither robotic surgery or single-incision surgery is new, but combining the two to remove the uterus requires additional training and special equipment," says Dr. Conrad. "To be the first hospital in Alabama to offer this technically advanced surgery demonstrates Crestwood’s leadership in providing patients with the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgical options." “I am honored to be the first physician in Alabama to perform this procedure. Most importantly, I am excited to be able to offer our patients a less invasive and more cosmetic option for robotic surgery.”

“Single-Site instruments used with the da Vinci platform are the next step in the evolution of surgical technologies,” Dr. Conrad said. “We are truly excited to be a leader today in the surgical treatment of tomorrow.”

Potential benefits of Single-Site hysterectomy may include virtually scar-less 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.

During the procedure, the surgeon sits comfortably at a console, viewing a 3D, high-definition image of the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera. In real-time, the system translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments inside the patient. 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 uterus is removed.

Crestwood Medical Center offers various types of robotic-assisted surgeries. In addition to hysterectomies and other gynecological procedures, Crestwood surgeons perform robotic-assisted surgery in Urology, General Surgery, and Otolaryngology. Crestwood also offers a wide range of minimally invasive conventional laparoscopic surgeries.

For information on robotic and other minimally invasive surgeries at Crestwood Medical Center call 256.429.5067 or visit crestwoodmedcenter.com.

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