Hospital conducts first robotic hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus or womb. The operation was performed by robotic surgery consultant Dr Thomas Bosmar and endoscopic and robotic surgery consultant Dr Moayyad Younis.

The procedure typically takes 40-45 minutes to perform, which is roughly half the time of a conventional procedure.

Nour, the 40-year-old patient, was referred to the Women’s Hospital after visiting a primary healthcare centre for acute internal pain in her womb for over three years.

Following her diagnosis, it was confirmed that a hysterectomy was imperative.

“This particular patient was unacquainted with robotic surgery, so a thorough explanation of the procedure helped to assure her of the benefits of this type of operation being a quicker, more accurate and safer option,” Dr Younis explained.

“Success rates of robotically performed hysterectomies exceed 95%. With more patient education, we anticipate an increase in the number of similar procedures in the future.”

The surgeon’s expertise, the efficiency of the surgical instruments used, and the pre-operative and post-operative safety measures taken throughout the process all play a pivotal role in the success of the procedure, Dr Younis added.

Robotic surgery is becoming more commonly utilised in cases involving the removal of tumours, lymph nodes, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries).

It is also useful for exploring latent diseases that may not otherwise be discovered through conventional surgery, and guiding the surgeon to suspected tissues to take biopsies.

“The hospital’s management is co-ordinating with Qatar Foundation’s Robotic Surgery Centre to conduct training sessions geared towards upgrading surgeons’ skills in the use of robots in surgery. In addition, HMC’s Surgery Training Centre, which will help to improve surgery techniques in Qatar, will soon be inaugurated,” Dr Younis said.