Intuitive Surgical received FDA clearance to market da Vinci Surgery for gynecologic applications in April 2005, nearly four years after its clearance for prostatectomy. In just a few years, da Vinci Gynecologic Surgery has seen significant adoption among surgeons, providing an indicator of what could be the next surgical standard of care in gynecologic surgery.

The da Vinci System allows surgeons to operate with unsurpassed 3DHD visualization, dexterity, surgical precision, control and ergonomic comfort. The result is what potentially may be better surgery, with more patients that are now candidates for a minimally invasive approach.

Hysterectomy is the most common female surgery: In fact, one in three women in the United States will have a hysterectomy before she turns 60.¹ This procedure is performed for a variety of conditions, including excessive bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, cancer and pre-cancer. Currently, the vast majority of hysterectomies are still performed via open incision.^2,3

In addition, there are roughly 60,000 myomectomy (fibroid removal) procedures performed annually in the U.S., a vast majority of which are still performed via a large open incision.³ Similarly, it's estimated that more than 200,000 procedures are performed in the U.S. annually to treat severe uterine prolapse or vaginal vault prolapse, the vast majority of which are surgically corrected through an open incision.^4,5

Traditional open gynecologic surgery, using a large incision for access to the uterus and surrounding anatomy, has for many years been the standard approach to many gynecologic procedures. Yet, open surgery can cause significant pain, physical trauma and a long recovery process. For women facing gynecologic surgery, the period of pain, discomfort and extended time away from normal daily activities that usually follows traditional surgery can also cause significant anxiety.

While no woman wants to face surgery, today the vast majority of complex gynecologic conditions - from endometriosis to uterine fibroids, heavy periods to cancer - can now be treated effectively without a big incision. da Vinci Surgery only requires a few tiny incisions, so patients can get back to life faster - within days rather than the usual weeks required with traditional surgery. For most women, da Vinci Surgery offers numerous potential benefits over traditional open surgery, including:

• Significantly less pain⁶
• Less blood loss and need for transfusion^6,7
• Fewer complications^6,7
• Shorter hospital stay^6,7
• Quicker recovery and return to normal activities⁷
• Small incisions for minimal scarring
• Better outcomes and patient satisfaction, in many cases⁶

Surpassing the limits of conventional laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci is revolutionizing gynecologic surgery for women. No wonder more and more women are choosing da Vinci Surgery for their hysterectomy.

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