If you’re suffering from a gynecological issue, you might be concerned about needing invasive surgery to repair it. However, you can reduce your discomfort, recovery period, and risks of infection and scarring with minimally invasive surgical options like robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery. 

With over 20 years of experience, Adventist Health’s Dr. John Kirk is a gynecological surgeon with special expertise in robotic and minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Kirk and our team at Adventist Health have multiple conveniently located offices in Napa, St. Helena, and Hidden Valley Lake, California. 

Dr. Kirk helped pioneer robotic surgery procedures in California and trained many other OB/GYNs in this technique. Read on to find out how robotic surgery can treat four common gynecological issues below. 

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable problem. A number of serious gynecological issues such as pelvic prolapse or pelvic floor weakness may cause urinary incontinence, leaving you with a chronic urge to urinate or urinary leakage. 

During an appointment to treat urinary incontinence, Dr. Kirk performs a pelvic exam to identify the cause of your incontinence. If you have a pelvic prolapse or pelvic floor weakness, Dr. Kirk uses robotic surgery to repair the pelvic floor or implant devices to strengthen it. 

Dr. Kirk makes small incisions in your abdomen in order to insert small robotic arms. He then controls these precise robotic arms to repair and treat your incontinence with minimal scarring and reduced recovery time. 

Fibroids

If you’re suffering from long, heavy menstrual periods (longer than a week), pelvic pain, constipation, and frequent urination, you may be suffering from uterine fibroids. Fibroids are noncancerous growths that often develop along the uterus and may cause serious problems. 

If you have fibroids that require removal, Dr. Kirk can complete a myomectomy (fibroid removal) using robotic techniques. This allows you to reduce uterine scarring and prevent loss of fertility. 

Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that develop on your ovaries. Some cysts form as a normal part of the menstrual process when a follicle containing an egg doesn’t dissolve at the right time. 

These cysts are very common, rarely cause symptoms, and should disappear with time. However, some cysts can be dangerous and cause disruptive symptoms. 

If you have been diagnosed with a cyst that is large, causing severe symptoms, or is potentially cancerous, Dr. Kirk can perform a minimally invasive robotic procedure to remove the cyst or remove the ovary if needed. 

Endometriosis

If you are suffering from very severe menstrual cramps, chronic pain in your lower back, pain during or after sex, and painful bowel movements, you might be suffering from endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common health problem where the endometrium, which normally lines your uterus, grows on other pelvic organs. 

Because this external endometrium tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds during your normal menstrual cycle, it can get trapped, cause cysts called endometriomas, and irritate the surrounding tissue. Fortunately, endometriosis can be treated with careful robotic laparoscopic surgery. 

During this procedure, Dr. Kirk places robot instruments through small abdominal incisions and carefully removes the external endometrium tissue from your pelvic organs. This technique can treat endometriosis, reduce your pain, and maintain your fertility with minimal scarring. 

If you’re suffering from a gynecological issue, robotic surgery can reduce your scarring and recovery time. As one of the first gynecological surgeons to offer robotic surgery procedures in California, Dr. Kirk has always been at the forefront of minimally invasive surgical techniques. To find out whether these techniques might be appropriate for you, book an online appointment, or call our general inquiries line at 707-253-1135.