Using a new technique developed at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Stephanie A. King, M.D., Associate Professor and Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, removed a woman's ovaries through a single incision in the patient's belly button.
The single port access (SPA) surgery was performed using new high dexterity instrumentation. The entire procedure, believed to be the world's first SPA bilateral oopherectomy, left the patient with a hidden scar in her belly button.
The SPA technique used by Dr. King was developed by Paul G. Curcillo, II, M.D., Vice Chairman of Surgery and Director of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Curcillo has already completed more than 15 procedures using this technique, including six gallbladder removals, and several hernia and stomach surgeries. This is the first time the technique has been used for gynecologic surgery.
“Dr. King's use of the SPA technique to perform a bilateral oopherectomy clearly demonstrates that this new platform of laparoscopy can be applied across surgical fields,” said Dr. Curcillo. “This now expands the benefits of hidden-scar surgery to gynecology patients.”
The patient, a 54-year-old woman, experienced minimal discomfort and has a barely visible scar compared to traditional laparoscopic oopherectomy (ovary removal) requiring three to four incisions - one in the belly button, and two to three others elsewhere on the abdominal wall, which leave obvious scarring.
“To be able to incorporate this new technique and instrumentation into gynecologic surgery is a wonderful benefit to the patient, both in lessening discomfort and hastening recovery, not to mention the hidden scar,” said Dr. King. “It will decrease the number of incisions required in routine gynecologic laparoscopy, as well as allow us to do more advanced gynecologic procedures using fewer incisions.”