Minimally Invasive Surgery

Why Choose Invasive… When You Can Have Minimally Invasive? In keeping with our commitment to offer patients the best options suited to their individual needs, Lifestages provides a full-spectrum of minimally invasive procedures. These advanced techniques for gynecologic as well as bladder/pelvic surgery result in excellent outcomes, less time in the hospital, faster recovery at home, less pain and lower risk of infection – and get patients back to their lives sooner. Depending on your unique needs, your physician will discuss your options with you and assist you in making a decision.

Resources On This Page: da Vinci Robot-Assisted Surgery Hysterectomy, Myomectomy, Sacrocolpopexy, Epicenter Laparoscopy LESS and Conventional Endometrial (Uterine) Ablation For pain and excessive bleeding Bladder and Pelvic Procedures Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT), Pelvic Prolapse Repair, Sacral Nerve Modulation (Inter-Stim)

Today, more than 98% of all surgeries performed by Lifestages physicians are minimally invasive. In addition, Lifestages surgeons are in demand to teach and mentor other physicians on how to use minimally invasive techniques.

da Vinci Robot-Assisted Surgery
Lifestages physicians use the da Vinci robot-assisted surgical system to perform complex gynecologic procedures through dime-sized abdominal incisions. The da Vinci system gives the surgeon greater control, minimizes pain and risk associated with large incisions, and increases the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes.

The da Vinci system’s powerful camera offers an unobstructed, highly magnified high-resolution 3D ”inside” view of the surgical site. Special surgical instruments, which are mounted on robotic “arms,” have even more dexterity and greater range of motion than the human wrist. They serve as the surgeon’s hands in small space where a human hand would not fit. The surgeon, who is seated at the da Vinci console, is always in full control of the instruments' micro movements.

Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a common surgery used to treat gynecologic conditions such as heavy bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic prolapse (slippage of organs). One in three women in the U.S. will have a hysterectomy before she turns 60. Today, many women avoid the large incision and long recovery that come with traditional open surgery by choosing a minimally invasive procedure instead. The da Vinci system’s enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control enable surgeons to perform a minimally invasive hysterectomy even for complex conditions. For more information on da Vinci hysterectomy, click here.

Myomectomy
With the da Vinci surgical system, surgeons can remove uterine fibroids through small incisions with ultimate precision and control. Compared with traditional open abdominal surgery, a da Vinci myomectomy is more likely to preserve the opportunity for future pregnancy, is significantly less painful, and results in fewer complications, less scarring and less blood loss.

Sacrocolpopexy
Pelvic organ slippage (prolapse) may result as connective tissues in the pelvic area weaken with age, after childbirth, and with weight gain and strenuous physical labor. Women with this condition typically have problems with urinary incontinence, vaginal ulceration, sexual dysfunction and/or bowel movements.

Sacrocolpopexy is a surgical procedure in which synthetic mesh is used to hold the vagina in its correct anatomical position. Traditionally, sacrocolpopexy was performed as open surgery through a 5-to-6-inch incision made across the lower abdomen. In da Vinci sacrocolpopexy, however, the procedure is minimally invasive, using only three dime-sized incisions.

da Vinci Epicenter
In April 2011, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., makers of the da Vinci Surgical System, named Good Samaritan Hospital a robotic benign gynecologic epicenter – one of only 25 benign epicenters in the United States and one of only two in the state of Ohio. Bruce Bernie, MD, a founding Lifestages physician, da Vinci surgery pioneer in the Dayton area, and medical director for robotic surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital, heads up the epicenter and trains visiting physicians and surgeons.

Intuitive Surgical, Inc., chooses epicenter sites for their excellence in patient outcomes, their passion for teaching, and their ability to convey the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery to physicians and patients. New da Vinci robotic surgeons and their teams visit an epicenter site to observe cases and learn surgical techniques. Epicenter surgeons become mentors and/or proctors for the newly trained physicians. These mentor-trainee relationships are nurtured through discussions at scientific conferences and advanced training.

Laparoscopy
LESS Procedure
The LESS procedure – laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery – is a remarkable procedure in which the surgeon makes only one small incision in the curve of the belly button. All instruments, including a flexible high-definition camera, are inserted through this incision. Because the incision is in the navel, there is no visible scarring. Lifestages is one of only a handful of women’s health providers in the region offering single-port laparoscopy. In fact, Lifestages physicians were the first to perform the LESS procedure in the area, currently performing more than any other local practice. The procedure is used for hysterectomy as well as for removal of ovarian cysts, treatment of pelvic pain and endometriosis, and other gynecological surgeries. For more information on the LESS procedure, click here (PDF).

Conventional Approach
In conventional multi-port laparoscopic gynecologic surgery, a miniature video camera and tiny instruments are inserted through several small abdominal incisions. The camera, which transmits images to a video screen, becomes the surgeon’s eyes. Organs and tissue are removed in pieces through the incisions or are passed through the vagina.

Endometrial (Uterine) Ablation
Endometrial (uterine) ablation is used to stop excessive bleeding from the uterine lining (endometrium) and reduce symptoms of menstrual pain. In one procedure, a flexible balloon made of non-allergenic material and filled with heated fluid is used to dissolve the uterine lining.

In another option, a mesh is placed in the uterus. The uterine lining dissipates when electrical energy is applied to the mesh. In most cases, patients can return to normal activities the next day.

Bladder and Pelvic Procedures
Lifestages established the Women’s Center for Bladder & Pelvic Health to provide solutions for women with problems such as pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Learn more about the Women’s Center for Bladder & Pelvic Health by clicking here.

Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT)
This minimally invasive technique stops urine leakage by supporting the urethra with a strip of synthetic mesh. The physician inserts the tape through the vagina, placing it under the urethra to create a supportive sling. The sling simulates the natural support of muscles and allows the urethra to remain closed when appropriate, preventing involuntary urine loss during sudden movements or exercise.

Pelvic Prolapse Repair
As muscles are weakened with normal aging and childbirth, pelvic organs may slip or protrude into the vagina, causing pressure, pain and other complications. Through a small incision in the vagina, the surgeon is able to make a simple pelvic prolapse repair that restores organs (for example, the bladder or uterus) to their proper place. When tissues are very weak, the surgeon can insert a sling-like piece of mesh to reinforce the repair. This step requires the addition of two very small incisions in the lower groin.

Sacral Nerve Modulation (Inter-Stim)
A small pacemaker-like device implanted in the lower back sends mild, painless stimulation to the sacral nerve, which controls the bladder and surrounding muscles. This stimulation may decrease or eliminate urgency and frequency symptoms, incontinence, and urinary retention.