When medication and non-invasive procedures are unable to relieve symptoms, surgery remains the accepted and most effective treatment for a range of gynecologic conditions. These include, but are not limited to, cervical and uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse and excessive bleeding and pain.

Traditional open gynecologic surgery, using a large incision for access to the uterus and surrounding anatomy, has for many years been the standard approach to many gynecologic procedures. Yet with open surgery comes significantly more pain and a longer recovery process.

Fortunately, gynecologic surgeons have been on the forefront in developing minimal invasive surgical techniques for their patients. In the Sixties, they were the first specialty to use laparoscopy to perform surgeries such as tubal ligations

The computerized chip camera came along in the Eighties. This camera was attached to the eyepiece of the laparoscope. Now everything the surgeon can see while bent over peering through the laparoscope is displayed on a large television screen. Laparoscopic instruments were also developed that allowed the surgeon to control the cutting parts inside a patient with hand movements outside the abdomen.

It was with these instruments that Dr. Sun did his first laparoscopic hysterectomy in 1991 and the first laparoscopic appendectomy in Lake County Illinois in 1992.

The DaVinci Robot represents the latest development in minimally invasive surgery. It comes with two major improvements.

The laparoscope that comes with the DaVinci has not one, but two lenses, allowing the surgeon to see a 3-D image of the surgical field. Also, the part of the robotic instruments that are inserted inside patients have working tips that can articulate 360 degrees.

These advances give the surgeon greater precision and control, minimizing the risks for the patient and increasing the likelihood of a good clinical outcome.

Because of this, most patients who underwent gynecologic surgery by Dr. Sun have been able to return home to their families on the same day, including patients who had hysterectomies.