One out of every two women struggling to conceive may suffer from endometriosis - the leading cause of infertility - according to research from Camran Nezhat, M.D., gynecologist at El Camino Hospital, the hospital of the Silicon Valley. Almost 5.5 million women in the U.S. suffer from the often painful symptoms of the condition, a disease characterized by endometrium, or tissue, which normally lines the uterus, growing in other places. Yet, Dr. Nezhat believes more than 95 percent of cases may be treated with minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic procedures, relieving pain and enabling women to successfully conceive.
“Supported by the leading-edge laparoscopic and robotic surgery at El Camino Hospital, I've been able to treat the vast majority of patients in my practice - sharply reducing pain often associated with endometriosis and also helping them to conceive successfully.”
"Endometriosis is the most common cause of infertility, but many of the women I see are not aware that the condition could be to blame," said Dr. Nezhat. "Supported by the leading-edge laparoscopic and robotic surgery at El Camino Hospital, I've been able to treat the vast majority of patients in my practice - sharply reducing pain often associated with endometriosis and also helping them to conceive successfully."
Five Surprising Facts about Endometriosis
In an effort to raise awareness of endometriosis and encourage women to speak to a physician, Dr. Nezhat, a pioneer in the field of minimally invasive robotic surgery who recommends laparoscopic surgery for the management of severe endometriosis, has outlined five facts in his opinion women need to know about the condition:
Management of Endometriosis
For women exhibiting symptoms of endometriosis or having difficulties conceiving, Dr. Nezhat recommends engaging in a candid conversation with their obstetrics and gynecology professional to discuss diagnosis and treatment. Surgical advances continue to be made, bringing expanded treatment options for endometriosis that are minimally invasive, require limited recovery time and support successful conception.
"It is important for women to realize that the extreme pain being endured may have infertility implications but is often treatable," said Dr. Nezhat. "Open gynecologic surgery - carrying painful and long recovery times - is no longer the only answer. At El Camino Hospital, we are on the leading edge of minimally invasive treatments, such as video laparoscopy and the da Vinci Surgical System, offering women hope for a lifetime of physical comfort and opportunity for future pregnancies."
Minimally Invasive Treatments at El Camino Hospital
Some gynecologic procedures enable surgeons to access the target anatomy using a vaginal approach, which may not require an external incision. But for complex hysterectomies and other gynecologic procedures, robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System may be the most effective, least invasive treatment option. Through tiny, 1-2 cm incisions, surgeons using the da Vinci System can operate with greater precision and control, minimizing the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes.
El Camino Hospital continues to expand its minimally invasive surgical program, now offering three da Vinci Systems. Physicians performed more than 500 robotic surgeries over the past year and expect the number to increase in 2010 as more physicians undergo training with the enhanced equipment that allows for more minimally invasive procedures. The new systems feature enhanced three-dimensional, high-definition vision with superior visual clarity of target tissue and anatomy.
El Camino Hospital first began conducting procedures with the da Vinci System in the spring of 2007. Since then, the hospital's specialized robotic surgery team has used the da Vinci System to treat hundreds of cancers of the prostate, uterus, bariatric surgeries, and OB/GYN benign disease conditions.
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