Robotic Surgery Technology Advances Treatment For Endometriosis

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The introduction of robotic-assisted surgery marks a significant advancement in the treatment of endometriosis, a chronic disease affecting one in ten women globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Endometriosis is often associated with severe, life-impacting pain during menstruation, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue and sometimes depression, anxiety and infertility.

Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist at Sunway Medical Centre (SMC), Sunway City, Dr Thow Sun Ta, in a statement, said robotic-assisted surgery provides precise and minimally invasive surgical solutions across diverse medical specialities, including those with endometriosis.

He explained that traditional surgical interventions have been the go-to method for many surgeries. Although effective to a certain level, he said they do carry notable drawbacks, including prolonged recovery times, and the surgery itself is quite complex.

Dr Thow said in traditional laparotomy (open surgery) for endometriosis, due to angle and vision limitation, surgeons usually have difficulty completing the excision of endometriotic lesions.

“In my experience, 90 per cent of endometriotic lesions occur at the back of the uterus, which is challenging for surgeons to identify if performing conventional laparotomy.

“However, robotic-assisted surgery offers enhanced visual support such as multiple-angle, higher quality vision, allowing surgeons to better identify lesions that may be hidden from direct sight and go unnoticed,” he remarked.

Furthermore, Dr Thow said a shorter recovery period, reduced complications and minimal scarring with less pain and blood loss make robotic-assisted surgery an appealing treatment option for endometriosis patients, especially in cases involving complex and hidden lesions, and enabling them to return to their normal lifestyle sooner.

“We have many patients plagued by severe dysmenorrhea (pain associated with menstruation) due to endometriosis. However, after robotic-assisted surgery, almost all experienced complete symptom relief,” he said.

Dr Thow noted that one of the most compelling advantages of robotic-assisted surgery is its potential to preserve fertility, since endometriosis can severely damage reproductive organs, such as impairing fallopian tube function, reducing ovarian reserve and creating a hostile environment for fertilisation and implantation.

While any patient may be considered for it, Dr Thow emphasised that robotic-assisted surgery applies to cases of endometriosis that conventionally necessitate open surgery, such as deep infiltrating endometriosis, a severe form of endometriosis involves deep growth of endometrial-like tissue into pelvic structures, causing severe pain and other complication or large benign tumours, non-cancerous growths that can occur in various body parts.

Looking ahead, Dr Thow foresees a surge in robotic surgeries across Malaysia, particularly for challenging conditions like endometriosis.

He said despite the learning curve, newer surgeons are being trained to adopt the use of robotics in surgeries, further instilling the expertise needed to operate these innovative solutions.

“While the accessibility of robotic-assisted surgery is limited at the present moment, I predict that robotics will play a larger role in surgery in addition to taking on a supportive role, as it has the potential to provide more precise insertions, shortening operating time and mitigating potential complications.

“In some cases, our patients feel more reassured when robotics is involved in their procedure, especially for more complex ones. Ultimately, the decision to opt for robotic or traditional surgery will be made collaboratively between the patient and doctor, considering all available options and individual circumstances,” he said.

Dr Thow also opined that with more adoption of innovative technologies within surgical procedures, healthcare professionals can be better equipped to undertake and manage more complicated cases, providing care for more patients long-term.

As one of the largest quaternary private hospitals in Malaysia, SMC is home to some of the most state-of-the-art robotic surgical systems in the market through its Robotics Surgery and MIS Centre of Excellence for various health concerns, including women’s health.

-- BERNAMA