Journalists: For links to web-video and audio files, see the bottom of this post.
New Mayo Clinic research has found that robotic surgery for vaginal prolapse dramatically reduces patient hospital stay and recovery time. These findings are being presented this week at the North Central Section of the American Urological Association in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Vaginal prolapse is a condition in which structures such as the uterus, rectum, bladder, urethra, small bowel, or the vagina itself may begin to prolapse, or fall, from their normal positions. Without treatment or surgery, these structures may eventually prolapse farther into the vagina or even through the vaginal opening if their supports weaken enough.
“Vaginal prolapse is a common, yet distressing physical and cosmetic condition that 10–15 percent of women will suffer in their lifetimes,” says Daniel Elliott, M.D., Mayo Clinic urologist and senior author on the study. “Robotic sacrocolpopexy surgery appears to offer many new benefits for patients — including decreased hospital stay and quicker recovery. Our study looked at longer-term results post-surgery to find out how patients fared.”
From 2002 to 2008, 48 women with symptomatic high-grade post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy, or vaginal wall repair. Researchers monitored these patients for three years to evaluate the success rate of the procedure. Overall, researchers found better outcomes for robotic sacrocolpopexy patients than traditional surgery, which included: 1) less-invasive, laparoscopic surgery took less time in the operating room; 2) fewer postoperative complications; 3) shorter hospital stay; and 4) faster postoperative recovery and return to work or normal activities.
“Traditional abdominal sacrocolpopexy is a very durable procedure, but recovery is long and sometimes dissuades women from having surgery,” says Dr. Elliott “This new robotic surgery is a major improvement and offers more options for women who want to have their prolapse repaired and are looking for a less-invasive type of procedure.”
Journalists: The following web-video and audio clips from Dr. Elliot are available for download and use in your post-embargo stories.
Problem is not uncommon: WMV MP3
Advantages to procedure: WMV MP3
Robotics vs Laparscopy: WMV MP3
Below is a link to an edited youtube video with Dr. Elliot that you can embed with your stories. It will be made public when the embargo lifts.
