More than 85 percent of hysterectomy patients go home same day after robotic surgery

MIAMI - April 29, 2014 - PRLog -- A national expert in women's cancer reported that 85-90 percent of hysterectomy patients are going home the same day after having robotic surgery.

"Advances in gynecological surgery with the help of robotic technology are allowing 85-90 percent of women who have had a hysterectomy to go home the same day without complications, compared to lengthier hospital stays after traditional surgery," said Pedro Ramirez, M.D., professor of gynecology oncology and reproductive medicine and director of minimally invasive surgical research and education for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas.

The information was presented April 25-26 at the Miami Robotics Symposium hosted by Baptist Health South Florida at the Eden Roc-Miami Beach.

Ricardo Estape, M.D., medical director of Baptist Health South Florida's Center for Robotic Surgery and a world-renowned leader in gynecology oncology surgery, said that a study of 6,830 medical articles on robotic surgery failed to support current hype about robotic surgery presenting a higher complication rate than other types of surgeries.

"We are seeing that the chance of complications is 10 times less when using a robotic surgery system," said Dr. Estape, who has performed more than 1,000 gynecology surgeries with the help of robotic technology.

Dr. Estape said the Center for Robotic Surgery expects to end 2014 with a record 3,500 robotic surgeries, compared to the 140 procedures in 2006 when the Center opened, making it one of the busiest centers for robotic surgery worldwide.

"There are lots of data that show robotic surgery is not harming patients," said Walter Gotlieb, M.D., Ph.D, professor and director of surgical oncology for McGill University in Montreal, who talked about the social and economic value of robotics.

The Miami Robotics Symposium attracted surgeons from around the world to learn from renowned leaders in robotic surgery. Experts presented leading edge techniques for complex minimally invasive surgery in sessions broken into specialty tracks: gynecology, urogynecology, gynecology oncology, colorectal, bariatric, urology, thoracic and general surgery.

For a complete schedule of the Miami Robotics Symposium, go to http://cme.baptisthealth.net/robotics-symposium/pages/fac...

Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was just listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#19 in the nation and #1 in Florida) and has remained on the list for 14 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fourth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. Visit BaptistHealth.net.