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Mercy gynecologic oncologist Dr. Dwight Im

Mercy Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Dwight Im Discusses Treating Gyn Cancers Using Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery

A new, robot-assisted surgery for hysterectomy patients is combining procedures to make the process easier on the patient.

Until recently, the only choices women had when it came to hysterectomy was the traditional surgery, which meant a sizeable incision and a longer recovery; or the transvaginal surgery, which makes no incision, but the doctor can't see the entire abdominal cavity.

The new surgery takes the best of both procedures and combines them.

According to Leslie Pegg, her problems began 18 months ago with painful ovarian cysts that were removed, but she said she knew they could come back.

"The next option was hysterectomy -- a total hysterectomy. I wasn't crazy about that because I didn't want to be cut," she said.

Pegg said she didn't want a six- to nine-week recovery time. She said the cysts did return 18 months after the first were removed, but by then, Mercy Medical Center gynecologic oncologist Dr. Dwight Im had a new minimally invasive option for her known as the da Vinci robot-assisted hysterectomy.

"You actually have the ability to control these very delicate instruments with your fingertips. You can do everything, and more than (you can) with the open incision," Dr. Im said.

But not every doctor does the operation. Physicians have to go through a long training process and be certified on the da Vinci robot.

Dr. Im said patients love it.

"It's the future, except the future is here," he said.

Pegg said she is definitely a fan.

"It's wonderful. Six weeks later, I'm back to working out on my elliptical," she said.

As a gynecological oncologist, Dr. Im noted that robot-assisted surgery is also great for cancer patients and is rapidly becoming the gold standard.

To view Dr. Im's interview with WBAL-TV11, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/24312839/detail.html