Revolutionary Procedures

Surgical procedures can seem overwhelming, especially for women in need of gynecological care. But when Heidi Howard, 44, of Mt. Holly Springs, was diagnosed with endometriosis, her physician told her about a less invasive way of performing the procedure—with the da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System.

After a year of suffering from lower abdominal pain, Heidi decided it was time to seek medical attention. In October 2009, Obstetrician & Gynecologist Dina L. Schweitzer, MD, FACOG at Carlisle Regional Medical Center, diagnosed Heidi with endometriosis, a condition that frequently causes pelvic pain or infertility.

"According to Dr. Schweitzer, I was a good candidate for the robotic procedure," says Heidi.

On December 10, 2009, Heidi underwent laparoscopic surgery with the da Vinci Robotic System to remove her left ovary and fallopian tube. Dr. Schweitzer also removed scar tissue from around her small bowel caused by the endometriosis.

Designed for Success
Imagine working in a high definition 3D virtual reality system that allows the surgeon to control four arms equipped with surgical instruments as if the surgeon were inside the patient's body. The da Vinci system makes this a reality.

"Because the incisions are significantly smaller with minimally invasive surgery, they provide many advantages to patients that include less postoperative pain and a quicker return to normal activity," says Dr. Schweitzer. "Other benefits of the da Vinci system include less bleeding, fewer infections and a better cosmetic result."

Hitting the Pavement
For Heidi, a runner and a mother of two teenagers, recovery from her da Vinci procedure was minimal, and she returned to work and her activities within days of her surgery.

"I completed a three-mile run about 10 days after surgery, and today I am running up to eight miles a day," she says. "Since the procedure, I feel great! I've been doing yoga and training for a half-marathon this spring."