Oct 28, 2008 5:34 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Uterine Fibroids
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Uterine fibroids cause painful symptoms for millions of women, but now a high-tech device is making treatment better.
After years of disappointment, Raiza Tepedino is finally pregnant. "It's really a rollercoaster. It's very emotional," she said. However, she also suffered from uterine fibroids, and they made her dream of conceiving a baby difficult.
Traditional surgery for uterine fibroids may cause scar tissue which can interfere with fertility. But now, a new robotic surgery is making that a concern of the past. "We're able to do quite complex surgical procedures through a minimally invasive approach," said reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Larry Barmat.
Fibroids aren't only a problem for women who want to have a baby. Of every 100 women, 80 have uterine fibroids by the time they're 50. Some never even know they are there, but for others symptoms can become severe.
Symptoms include heavy periods, pressure in the belly, lower back pain, and the need to urinate frequently.
The surgical robot uses laproscopic instruments and a magnified camera inserted through tiny puncture holes. The surgeon operates from a console.
"You're looking through binocular vision. You're seeing depth perception and then you're basically going to move three robotic arms using finger controls and foot pedals. It's definitely very, very exciting technology," Dr. Barmat said.
It was a quick and easy recovery for Tepedino, who then had
in vitro fertilization. She's now 41, and her baby is due in late December. "I think that's the most wonderful thing that a woman can do, so I wanted to be a part of that club," Tepedino said. "I just couldn't believe that it was actually true. It's going great."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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