Saint Joseph East Becomes Second Facility in Kentucky to Perform Single-site Hysterectomy Procedure - Archived

 

Lexington, Ky. (March 28, 2014)—Saint Joseph East, part of KentuckyOne Health, has expanded its use of robotic-assisted surgery to offer a single-site hysterectomy procedure. J. Mike Guiler, M.D., obstetrician and gynecologist, recently performed the state’s second robotic-assisted single-site hysterectomy at the hospital. Only a small group of surgeons and facilities in the nation are trained to perform this advanced procedure.

 

Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is the second most common surgical procedure for women in the United States. It may also involve the removal of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and other surrounding structures. An estimated one-third of all women will have a hysterectomy by age 60, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Compared to a traditional hysterectomy, a robotic-assisted procedure is minimally invasive and helps women return to their normal activities more quickly. The surgery is performed in less than one hour. Many patients return home within four hours and nearly all go home within 24 hours. The daVinci^® Surgical System also allows for a single incision hidden within the belly button, compared to traditional laparoscopic surgeries, which require three to five small visible incisions.

 

“The single-site hysterectomy procedure gives women a surgical option that leaves virtually no scar,” said Dr. Guiler. “In addition to the cosmetic benefits, women can return to work and other daily activities sooner.”

 

Robotic-assisted surgery, like other minimally invasive surgery, utilizes cameras and instruments that are inserted through small incisions in a patient’s body. The advantage is that the surgeon utilizes the hand controls of a state-of-the-art console to control the robotic arms during a procedure. Through the console’s viewfinder, the surgeon sees high resolution, 3D images that are sent back by the cameras. The quality of the images and the precision of the surgical arms enable the surgeon to provide optimal care to their patients. In addition to gynecologic surgery, Saint Joseph East’s use of the daVinci Surgical System includes bariatric (weight loss) surgery, urologic surgery and general surgery.

 

About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health was formed when two major Kentucky health care organizations came together in early 2012. KentuckyOne Health combines the Jewish and Catholic heritages of the two former systems – Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System. In late 2012, the organization formed a partnership with the University of Louisville Hospital | James Graham Brown Cancer Center.  The nonprofit system is committed to improving the health of Kentuckians by integrating medical research, education, technology and health care services wherever patients receive care. KentuckyOne Health has more than 200 locations including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies across the state of Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is the largest health system in Kentucky.

 

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