da Vinci Surgery at Pacific Gynecology Specialists

Incorporation of the da Vinci robotic surgical system into our clinical practice at Pacific Gynecology Specialists is a recent, exciting change in the scope of our practice. Our group was the first to introduce robotic surgery in the care of women with gynecologic malignancies in the five state region (WA, OR, AK, MT, WY).

Currently, four providers, Dr. Drescher, Dr. Everett, Dr. Paley, and Dr. Veljovich are using the da Vinci robotic surgical system. We have been working with this technology for almost 2 years and have completed over 250 robotically-assisted laparoscopic procedures, the most in the five state region. We are currently using this technology to perform a full range of gynecologic and oncology procedures including, simple hysterectomy, oophorectomy, lymphadenectomy, radical hysterectomy, cancer staging, and even abdominal sacral colpopexy for vaginal prolapse.

Our experience with this system has been presented at the Seattle Gynecologic Society, the Pacific Coast Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, the Washington State Obstetrical Society, and the Society of Gynecologic Oncology Winter Meeting. Our data will be published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2008.

We have found that robotic surgery provides numerous benefits to our patients including less blood loss, fewer transfusions, less surgical pain, less narcotic usage postoperatively, better cosmetic results, less risk of injury, shorter hospital stay, and quicker postoperative recovery. Patients are returning to work and daily activities more quickly. And, patients with cancer can initiate chemotherapy or radiation treatments more quickly with fewer side effects.