New Findings On Robotic Surgery

Newly published findings on robotic surgery for benign (non-cancerous) gynecological conditions conclude what our surgeons have said since the technology’s 2005 FDA approval: There is still no credible evidence of its superiority over conventional laparoscopic surgery – except in costs.

In its January/February 2012 flagship journal, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) – the premier standards-setting organization for the specialty of minimally invasive gynecological surgery – published a position statement on this topic. It states: “Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery should not replace conventional laparoscopic or vaginal procedures for women who could otherwise undergo conventional laparoscopic or vaginal surgery for benign gynecologic diseases.”

(Click here for entire AAGL position statement.)

The AAGL’s new position statement is congruent with the 2012 findings of The Cochrane Collaboration (CC), a world-renown, non-profit research organization providing accurate, state-of-the-art information on healthcare treatments and their effectiveness. Based on its systematic review of all available, credible evidence on robotic-assisted laparoscopy in gynecological surgery, the CC concluded that:

(Click here for the entire Cochrane Review.)

Our surgeons have long been successfully performing conventional laparoscopic surgery – that is, without a pricey robot – for hysterectomy, myomectomy, endometriosis, tubal ligation reversal and numerous other gynecological procedures. Our unique, minimally invasive surgical protocol enables all of these procedures to be performed as true outpatient surgery – sparing women costly hospitalization and unsightly incisions, while also providing them with the fastest, least painful recovery possible.