Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas named Center of Excellence for gynecological surgery

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital DallasJul 9 2010

Hospital named academic center of excellence for leading-edge gynecological surgery

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas is the first hospital in Texas — and one of only three in the United States — to be named a Center of Excellence for gynecological surgery by the American Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (AIMIS).

The recognition is being given to Texas Health Dallas for its high volume of minimally-invasive women's surgeries and superior patient outcomes.

"Being named a center of excellence is exciting, but it's most rewarding to know we're doing what's best for patients," said Dr. David Bookout, Texas Health Dallas' chairman of obstetrics and gynecology. "The physicians on the medical staff pioneered many of these laparoscopic techniques, and they're committed to it because of the benefits to patients."

Minimally-invasive techniques at Texas Health Dallas include laparoscopic and robotic surgeries for various medical conditions. During laparoscopic procedures, surgeons use tiny probes to operate inside the patient's abdomen; a camera is inserted through a third incision. The AIMIS Center of Excellence designation recognizes Texas Health Dallas for excellence in various women's surgeries, most notably laparoscopic hysterectomies.

"Minimally invasive surgery usually means shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries for patients," said Dr. John Bertrand, an OB-GYN on the hospital's medical staff. "Thanks to these advancements, women can get back on their feet and back to their regular lives much quicker."

Each year, more than 600,000 women in the U.S. undergo a hysterectomy, with one in three women having had the surgery by age 60. The procedure, which involves removal of the uterus, is used to treat fibroids (non-cancerous uterine growths); endometriosis (when growth of uterine tissue affects other abdominal organs); uterine prolapse (uterus moves within abdomen, causing urinary problems, pelvic pressure and other problems); cancer; persistent vaginal bleeding; and chronic pelvic pain.

Almost 60 percent of these procedures at Texas Health Dallas are laparoscopic hysterectomies — more than double the national average. With only tiny incisions (the uterus is removed by a special instrument that cuts it into small strips), laparoscopic hysterectomy allows patients to go home the same day, and they can resume normal activity in one to two weeks. A traditional open hysterectomy usually requires a patient spend three to four days in the hospital — with up to six weeks recovery from the painful abdominal incision.

Texas Health Dallas has also been at the forefront of surgical techniques for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, which removes the uterus while preserving the cervix.

"This is about offering many surgical advances to patients, so we can provide each woman with the best treatment plan for her," said Dr. Jay Staub, an OB-GYN on the Texas Health Dallas medical staff. "We want patients to know that we have tools and techniques at our disposal to provide optimal treatment plans. We're dedicated to providing these treatment options because they safely benefit patients, while reducing hospital stays, complication rates and health care costs."