At the OSUCCC - James, our gynecologic oncologists were among the first nationwide to be certified to perform minimally invasive robotic surgery on patients with gynecologic cancer. Today, we are one of the leading hospitals in the country for robotic gynecologic cancer surgery and perform more of these procedures than any other Ohio hospital.
The robotic platform allows our gynecologic oncologists to perform a major procedure in a minimally invasive fashion. Just a few small incisions, rather than a major incision, are needed to accommodate the miniaturized robotic instruments and tiny camera inserted in the patient’s abdomen. These are still major operative procedures, but performed through small incisions so they result in much less blood loss, pain and scarring, and less risk of infection than conventional surgery.
Gynecologic Oncology Procedures
Robotics is transforming the way surgeons at the OSUCCC - James treat gynecological disorders. Most of the 80,000 U.S. women diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer each year will require major surgery.
Robotic surgery is a viable and less invasive option than traditional open surgery. In addition to less blood loss and lower rate of infection, early results from an Ohio State clinical trial indicate that the smaller incision and fewer complications associated with robotic surgery increase the probability of a patient beginning chemotherapy or radiation therapy sooner. OSUCCC – James surgeons performed more than 400 robotic gynecologic cancer-related surgeries in 2011, including:
- Hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy for uterine cancer
- Radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer
- Removal of ovaries and staging for ovarian cancer
- Hysterectomy and removal of ovaries as risk-reduction surgery in patients at risk for gynecologic cancers
Endometrial or uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. In our experience, the great majority of these patients are eligible for robotic surgery. Also, patients with early stage cervical and ovarian cancer are eligible for robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery.
Gynecologic Oncology Research
As a national leader in the field, Ohio State participates in ongoing research that is vital to continued advancements toward refining surgical procedures that result in better patient care and improved patient outcomes. Data from such studies will help set standards for robotic surgery outcomes across the world.
In addition to ongoing research aimed at evaluating safety, efficacy and quality of life outcomes for patients undergoing gynecological robotic surgery, we participate in clinical trials studying:
- Pain levels for endometrial cancer patients undergoing robotic surgery versus laparotomy or traditional surgery
- The use of robotics and fluorescents to determine lymph node metastasis and to examine the potential route of spread of endometrial cancer