Last July, 59-year-old Sarah Taylor, a professor at a local university, was worried. Her gynecologist suspected a precancerous condition and recommended a hysterectomy.
Separated, with no caretaker at home, she was concerned about the long recovery time associated with the standard abdominal surgery for hysterectomy. She decided to put it off for a few months hoping it would get better.
"I couldn't miss work. I feared a long recovery time, mostly for financial reasons," says Sarah. "I also wanted a second opinion. When my condition didn't improve, my gynecologist recommended Matthew Powell, MD, a gynecological oncologist at Missouri Baptist Medical Center."
By the time she saw Dr. Powell, her symptoms were worse. She was on deadline at school for writing curriculum and also was doing consulting work on the side, which was essential to paying her bills. She had no time in her life for illness.
After Sarah discussed the various options with Dr. Powell, she chose to go ahead with the surgery, opting for a new, less invasive robotic surgery
technique -- the da Vinci hysterectomy. The advantages of a da Vinci procedure compared to abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomies include:
Using the da Vinci robotic system, a surgeon guides robotic instruments through dime-size incisions. The robot, with its micro-cameras, gives the surgeon superior visualization, and its precise control enables precise micro-movements of tiny instruments for better results.
"Most of my patients are concerned with removing the cancer or precancerous cells, avoiding the pain and mitigating long-lasting cosmetic results. The da Vinci robotic system offers women a less invasive treatment option with a much quicker, easier and less painful recovery time," syas Dr. Powell.
Sarah's surgery was performed on a Friday in September, 2008. It lasted less than an hour. On Sunday, she went home and in less than two weeks, she felt great. "It's made a huge difference for me," says Sarah. "The incision included just a few small puncture scars instead of a large scar."
Sarah's good friend from California came to town to help her recover at home. While visiting, the friend injured her back and the role's switched -- Sarah became her caretaker. That is how successful her recovery was.
Now Sarah is back teaching students, writing curriculum for school districts and serving on a local non-profit board of directors with a new year ahead of her and old concerns behind her.
One in three women in the United States will have a hysterectomy before she turns 60, reports the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Symptoms may include abnormal bleeding, pain, and change in the bowels or bowel habits.
Note: Sarah Taylor is a real person, but the name has been changed to protect her privacy.
Dr. Matthew Powell is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is on staff at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University and completed his internship and residency training at The Ohio State University Hospital and Clinics, followed by a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Washington University School of Medicine.