Surgeons perform 600,000 hysterectomies each year in the United States alone. 65% of those performed are total abdominal hysterectomies, 10% are laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies (LAVH) and 25% are vaginal hysterectomies. Despite general preference for minimally invasive procedures, the majority of these surgeries are still performed using large incisions.

An alternative to the traditional hysterectomy surgical approach is robotic surgery. Lakeside Women’s Hospital is currently one of only a handful of facilities across the country offering this minimally invasive, state-of-the-art procedure, as well as other surgeries that can be performed more effectively using robotics. (Lakeside’s rate for abdominal hysterectomies has been far less than the national average of 65%.)

About 2-years ago Lakeside physicians and hospital management decided to commit to the development of an entity that would help Oklahoma females with improved GYN surgical services. Lakeside doctors and C.E.O. Kelley Brewer spent months defining the kind of improvements that would be needed. After much time and research the improvements selected were: more education regarding options for surgical procedures (like hysterectomy), more minimally invasive surgical techniques, less trauma for the patient, improved recovery times, less pain, more comfort, emotional support, and the gathering of patient data related to GYN surgeries performed.

As of this date, Lakeside Robotic Surgery Institute for Women is born. “It is our goal to offer women the most comprehensive GYN surgical services possible,” said Susan Chambers, M.D. (OB/GYN) Dr. Chambers and all Lakeside Women’s Hospital physicians have, or will be soon, trained to perform Robotic GYN surgeries.

Lakeside Women’s Hospital has named Edmond physician Michael Glass, M.D., (OB/GYN), as Medical Director of Lakeside Robotic Surgery Institute for Women. “It has always been a passion of mine to seek new and better alternatives for treating my patients. Lakeside Robotic Surgery Institute for Women does just that by addressing all areas of care for women who are facing difficult decisions regarding their health and possible surgery,” said Dr. Glass. “This is, by far, the best program that has ever been offered for GYN patients in Oklahoma, in my opinion.”

Robotic surgery allows the surgeon to operate while seated at a console viewing a 3D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.

Many surgical procedures performed today using standard laparoscopic technique may be performed more quickly and easily using robotic surgery. This is because robotic surgery increases clinical capability while maintaining the same "look and feel" of open surgery.

By enhancing surgical capabilities, robotic surgery helps to improve clinical outcomes and redefine standards of care. Patients may experience the following benefits: reduced trauma to the body, reduced blood loss and need for transfusions, less post-operative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and return to normal daily activities, and less scarring