Hysterectomies are the most common non-pregnancy surgery performed on women in the United States, with more than 600,000 performed each year. A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman’s uterus and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well.

Women facing endometrial cancer, or abnormal cell growth in the lining of the uterus, often undergo a hysterectomy as part of their treatment. A new technique—minimally invasive robotic surgery— provides an alternative with shorter recovery time after surgery and, in many cases, eliminates the need for radiation therapy.

UI gynecologic oncologist David Bender, MD, is the one of the first in Iowa to use the daVinci Surgical System® for such procedures. He sits across the operating room and uses joystick-like controls to move specially designed surgical equipment through one- to two-centimeter incisions to the uterus to allow for its removal.

The daVinci Surgical System® offers patients:

• Less pain
• Less scarring
• Fewer infections
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster recovery times

For more information, call UI Health Access 319-384-8442, ext. 1006 or 800-777-8442, ext. 1006