During your robotic hysterectomy
Once you are asleep you will be positioned, lying on your back with your legs supported in stirrups.
An abdominal and pelvic exam is often performed to help plan out the incisions and approach.
The abdomen, vagina and cervix are then cleaned with a special solution to prevent infection.
Your body will be covered by a sterile sheet to protect you during the surgery.
A small tube (Foley catheter) will be placed in your bladder to keep it empty for the procedure. This is usually removed at the end of the surgery or the following day.
A uterine manipulator is inserted through the vagina to help move the pelvic organs during the procedure.
Compression stockings may be placed on your legs to decrease the risk of blood clots after surgery.
A small needle is inserted through the skin to inflate the abdomen with carbon dioxide gas. This allows the surgeon to insert the camera safely.
Additional small skin incisions are made for the robotic instruments used to perform the hysterectomy. The location, number, and size of the skin incisions can vary depending on your anatomy.
A survey of the abdominal and pelvic organs is performed at the start of the procedure.
The surgery is performed and your uterus is sent to pathology to be looked at under the microscope. This process takes up to 4-6 weeks.
When the surgery is complete, the surgeon removes all instruments from your abdomen and vagina. The gas in the abdomen is released.
The skin incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and/or tapes that can be removed after 1 week.