Hysterectomies are among the most invasive and frightening surgical procedures that a woman can have done to her body. Not only is it an operation that requires complete invasion, which is something that many women are forced to have done, but there is also the potential for a certain amount of emotional impact that is associated with the removal of maternal organs. In addition, just as there is a possibility of complications with any operation that a person chooses to have done, there is also the terrifying possibility that the individual's body will never again look the way it did before.

The field of genecology has, thankfully, benefited from the same remarkable technological advancements that have simplified a variety of other activities. These advancements have allowed for more accurate and less invasive diagnostic procedures. In point of fact, this new technological renaissance in the field is not only making it possible for surgeons to treat their patients in a more effective manner, but it is also well on its way to rendering traditional methods of surgery irrelevant.

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.'s most recent surgical device, the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System, is FDA-approved for use in hysterectomies. This system uses robotic technology to perform the operation. Although the device is also used in procedures such as prostate exams, it is providing an unmatched level of clarity and precision to the surgeons who are employing it to perform procedures on the maternal organs of their patients. Here are five reasons why the Da Vinci Surgical Robot is preferable to the traditional method of performing a hysterectomy for women who are considering having the procedure done. 

1. It is more effective because it acts as an extension of the senses and the manual dexterity of your skilled surgeon. The Da Vinci device functions as an extension of these qualities. The robot provides the physician with the ability to perform procedures as if he were fully immersed in the patient's abdomen by providing 10x magnification on 1080p displays. Because of this improvement in visibility, doctors have a larger and more accurate representation of the internal organs at their disposal, which enables them to make more informed decisions regarding surgical procedures. In addition, the device's small but highly maneuverable claws enable surgeons to maneuver in a way that is not easily accomplished by using the human hand alone. This is something that is difficult to do.

2. There is less scarring: In order to remove the uterus, a woman would normally need to have a large incision made in her abdomen; however, the Da Vinci method removes the uterus through a series of very small incisions. These incisions permit the surgical arms and illuminating device to access the abdominal organs from three to four remote locations. Each of these incisions heals as a scar that is less visible than the scar left by a conventional hysterectomy.

3. There is a decreased risk of blood loss: During traditional surgery, there is always a chance that an unexpected amount of blood will be lost. However, the amount of blood loss is typically measured in fractions of a liter; the amount of excess blood loss that occurs during a Da Vinci procedure is, on average, measured in tablespoons. This is something that can be easily managed by a skilled surgeon.

4. There is a shorter period of time required for recovery: As a result of the smaller incisions and more precise location of the operation, women who undergo surgery using the Da Vinci system will be able to get back to their regular activities much sooner than they would be able to do so using any other method of conventional laparoscopic surgery. Some women have reported being able to get back to their regular activities within a week after undergoing Da Vinci surgery because the procedure leaves fewer stitches, which lowers the risk of the sutures breaking and speeds up the healing process.

5. It is more convenient: With the Da Vinci, surgeons can perform hysterectomies with significantly greater dexterity, precision, and speed than ever before. If the operating room is enlarged, the surgeons will be able to perform the procedure with greater assurance, requiring less time for incisions and stitches. Because of this, surgeons are able to perform a greater number of procedures on any given day designated for discreet surgery. As a result, you will have a greater opportunity to schedule your procedure for a day that is most convenient for you.