Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
Hysterectomies
are among the most common reproductive surgeries for women. More than 600,000 women will have a
hysterectomy this year in the United
States.
Fewer than one in ten will have a minimally invasive procedure.
Over the past 16
years at Pasco Regional Medical
Center, Drs. Behrouz
Madani and John Ferlita, have used advanced, minimally invasive, surgical
techniques to perform laparoscopic hysterectomies. More laparoscopic surgeries are performed at Pasco Regional
Medical Center
than at all other Tampa
Bay area hospitals
combined. As pioneers in the field of laparoscopic hysterectomies, Drs.
Ferlita and Madani have also trained other surgeons from across the United States
in this advanced, minimally invasive technique.
Today, PRMC has five surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive
gynecology.
Instead of cutting across the patient’s belly or from her
breastbone down to her navel, these surgeons insert their long, narrow surgical
tools through buttonhole-sized incisions.
A miniature camera, inserted through another tiny incision, allows them
to view the operating area on a video screen.
The average uncomplicated procedure takes them 45 minutes or less. The
procedure creates little pain, little bleeding, and minimal, if any, permanent
scarring.
The benefits to the patients are many. The average laparoscopic hysterectomy patient:
- Experiences
relatively little pain.
- Loses
about 3 ounces of blood, less than she loses in one day’s heavy period.
- Has
relatively little risk of infection.
- Has
fewer chances for complication.
- Has
less need for a transfusion.
- Is
up and walking within a few hours of surgery.
- Returns
home to her family the following day.
- Returns
to work within a week.
- Has
minimal, if any, permanent scarring.
The old-fashioned surgical technique – abdominal, or open,
hysterectomy – requires a cut at least half-a-foot long, three-to-five day
hospital stays, and four-to-six weeks out of work.
Meet Our Surgeons