CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - LiveWell

A Surgical Sigh of Relief Considering surgery to correct a gynecological condition? A hi-tech surgical option now available CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth offers a swift and sure solution. DID YOU KNOW? Above: da Vinci surgical instruments compared to the size of a penny. ® • The first hysterectomy completed through an abdominal incision was performed in England by Charles Clay, MD, in 1843. • The forerunner of the first robotic-assisted surgical system was developed for military use in the late 1980s, in the hope of allowing surgeons to operate remotely on wounded soldiers in the field. • The da Vinci Surgical System was developed by Intuitive Surgical, Inc.® and debuted in Europe in 1999 before gaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for general laparoscopic surgery in 2000. According to Intuitive Surgical, approximately 1.5 million procedures have been performed worldwide using da Vinci. 4 A lmost four years ago, Melissa Riley began having menstrual problems. The 39-yearold account manager for Air Liquide Specialty Gases in Beaumont started experiencing an abnormal cycle. "I was having very painful periods and extremely heavy bleeding, to the point I was not confident leaving the house to go to work," Melissa says. "For the past two-anda-half years, I've had flow for 25 to 27 days out of every month." Melissa hoped to find a therapeutic cure, so her physician prescribed a course of nonsurgical treatments. None helped completely. "We tried several different hormonal options," Melissa says. "I wanted to avoid surgery at all costs." NOT YOUR AVERAGE SURGERY In 2013, Melissa's physician recommended a surgical option that promised a permanent — and speedy — solution. "The da Vinci® Si Surgical System became available at CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth in July, making us the first — and only — hospital to offer this advanced robotic surgical option in Southeast Texas," says Ruben Victores, MD, OB/GYN, da Vinci-trained Surgeon on the Medical Staff at CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth. "The da Vinci robot has made it possible to provide women like Melissa relief from heavy bleeding with less pain, faster recovery time and minimal scarring." "Because robotic surgery is easier for surgeons than traditional laparoscopic surgery, more patients will be able to take advantage of minimally invasive techniques," adds Deborah Sherman, MD, OB/GYN, da Vinci-trained Surgeon on the Medical Staff at CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth. "Cases that previously have been too difficult to perform with laparoscopy can now be accomplished with robotic assistance." AT LAST, RELIEF "We considered a number of permanent and reversal treatment options, including robotic-assisted surgery," Melissa says. "Once Dr. Victores explained the advantages of having a hysterectomy with the assistance of the da Vinci, it was the only real option in my mind. "I got out of surgery at 5:30 pm on a Wednesday and was home by 9 am the next morning," she adds. "I took pain medication the day I went home and that was it." Melissa quickly returned to her routine, which now, sans bleeding, was far more normal. The Friday after her surgery, she went to the grocery store and cooked dinner. She felt well enough to go back to work the following Monday but waited a full week per Dr. Victores' orders. After nine days, Melissa resumed her cardiovascular workout routine, and after 14 days, was able to lift weights. "I feel fantastic," Melissa says. "The bleeding and pain are gone, and I couldn't be happier. If anyone is considering da Vinci surgery, do not put it off. This surgery is a blessing to women in Southeast Texas." To learn more about da Vinci robotic surgery at CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth and to watch Melissa's video testimonial, visit www.christushospital.org/davincirobot.

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