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Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery

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Dr. Devin Garza

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Who is an ideal candidate for minimally invasive surgery?

Women of all ages and conditions benefit from minimally invasive surgery, and you should discuss all viable alternatives with your physician. Complex pathology can be managed safely and effectively with a highly experienced surgeon who is equipped with the most advanced surgical armamentarium, either traditional laparoscopy or the da Vinci robotic platform, which overcomes most of the limitations with traditional laparoscopy.

Are all surgeons trained in the minimally invasive approach?

Most are, but naturally, some surgeons are more experienced than others. Obviously, you get really good at what you do a lot. It’s the same with surgeons. The type of hands-on training that I teach throughout the U.S. and other countries as an epicenter/mentor surgeon helps surgeons to perform more proficient robotic techniques. My hope is that a patient who was given no choice but an open surgery will have the opportunity to have a minimally invasive approach. I am convinced that as surgeons become more experienced and skilled in minimally invasive surgery, our patients truly benefit.

I am considering surgery. Are there any questions I should ask my physician?

Importantly, you should have discussed all the options to surgery, as surgery should be the last option after failed medical management. But as it pertains to minimally invasive surgery, here are some key questions:

1. Will this surgery be approached in a minimally invasive way? Many surgeons are unaware of the potential for surgeries, such as very large uteri, removal of fibroids and transabdominal cerclage, which can be safely and routinely performed on the robotic platform by experienced surgeons.

2. If your doctor is not comfortable offering a minimally invasive approach, ask if there is a surgeon he or she trusts in the local medical community that can perform this particular surgery in a minimally invasive approach. Collaboration among surgeons is key to more patients benefiting from a minimally invasive surgery approach.

3. If you are not comfortable or have unanswered questions, always feel empowered to seek another opinion.

Dr. Devin Garza was one of the world’s first gynecologic surgeons to adopt robotic surgery. Having performed more than 1,600 robotic procedures and given the distinction of da Vinci mentor/epicenter surgeon by Intuitive Surgical Inc., he champions a minimally invasive approach to complex surgery by also training other surgeons. Since 2012, Garza, a board-certified OB-GYN, has often presented as faculty on the national and international stage at conventions such as the American Association of Laparoscopic Gynecologists and World Robotic Gynecology Congress, and in Australia and Asia. He was elected chair of the American Academy of Gynecologic Laparoscopists robotic special interest group for 2017 to 2018, and has personally trained more than 1,500 surgeons from throughout the world.

Garza is a referral specialist in the management of some of the most complex benign gynecology surgery, such as the management of fibroids with Acessa, myomectomy, complex hysterectomy, endometriosis and pelvic-floor prolapse. He is among the most experienced minimally invasive robotic surgeons in the U.S.

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