Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy in Charlotte North Carolina

Unfortunately about 65% of hysterectomies in the United States are still performed through a large abdominal incision. That is just too many given all that we know about minimally invasive surgery and that the first laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed > 30 years ago. If you suffer from heavy bleeding, endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or ovarian cysts and you've been told you need a hysterectomy, have it done minimally invasively. With a skilled surgeon, about 95% of women should qualify for a minimally invasive or laparoscopic hysterectomy. If you can't find a surgeon locally that can perform your hysterectomy either vaginally or laparoscopically, then contact Dr. Stepp to discuss your situation. Dr. Stepp has >99% success rate for laparoscopic hysterectomy over the last 10 years.

Benefits of laparoscopy include:

• Better visualization
• The procedure can often be done outpatient
• Less pain medication is required
• Fewer complications
• Smaller (hardly visible) scars
• Back to work sometimes in as little as 1 week.

What about laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy?

Dr. Stepp performs laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy however he is not dedicated to any one particular technique. After a thorough history and physical examination he will sit down and discuss all the options, risks, and benefits. Many women chose not to remove their cervix or ovaries after an informed discussion - but that decision is made with the patient, not for the patient

Surgical Innovation/Scarless Laparoscopy/Single Incision Laparoscopy

Since the late 1980s and early 1990s, surgeons explored minimally invasive techniques to improve traditional open hysterectomy, aiming to reduce complications and lengthy recovery periods. This led to the development of conventional laparoscopic hysterectomy with multiple ports. Patients benefit from minimally invasive approaches with quicker recovery, less pain, earlier return to normal activities, and fewer complications.

Over the past 10-15 years, gynecologic surgeons have honed laparoscopic hysterectomy skills. While still a great option, most laparoscopic techniques involve several small incisions. As an innovator, Dr. Stepp pioneered technological advances to improve on traditional laparoscopy.

In 2008, Dr. Stepp was the first surgeon in the world to use a specially designed multichannel port (Olympus Triport, Advanced Surgical Concepts, Ireland) for single incision laparoscopy (SILS) hysterectomy. The following year, in 2009, he achieved another milestone by conducting the world's inaugural single incision robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy without relying on bedside assistants. Since then, he has played a significant role as a researcher and instructor, focusing on creative approaches to reduce recovery time associated with conventional laparoscopy. He performed the first single incision laparoscopic hysterectomy in the Netherlands in 2010. He is now recognized as an international leader on single incision laparoscopy for hysterectomy and other procedures. He has directed courses on 4 continents and trained more than 500 surgeons from over 25 countries. Dr. Stepp specializes in surgery for women who have had prior plastic surgery and always minimizes the number, size and location for any incisions.

Dr. Stepp currently offers:

• Single incision laparoscopy
• Robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery
• Microlaparoscopy
• Vaginal surgery (no abdominal incisions)

There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these techniques. Depending on specific needs and conditions of each individual patient, Dr. Stepp will discuss which minimally invasive approach might be best for her. In some situations, Dr. Stepp can offer techniques that are still considered investigational and will discuss these with the patient as well.

Of course this technique is not limited to hysterectomy. He has also performed single incision laparoscopy for supracervical hysterectomy, vaginal vault suspension for prolapse, excision of endometriosis, ovarian removal, and appendectomy using SILS surgery.