Robotic surgery offers hope for women with endometriosis

The increased use of robotic surgery to treat more painful conditions continues at the Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) where it’s now providing a valuable minimally invasive option for women with endometriosis. A recent study, published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery, found that robotic-assisted procedures can lead to shorter recovery times, less post-operative pain, and excellent surgical outcomes. 
 
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing significant pelvic pain - especially around menstruation -and often leading to fertility challenges. According to Endometriosis Australia, nearly one million Australian women are affected by this condition at some point in their lives. 
 
Over 7,000 robotic procedures have been performed at the San to date, reflecting the hospital’s expertise in advanced minimally invasive surgery. 
 
A multidisciplinary team at the San, led by Associate Professor Stephen Pillinger and Dr Yogesh Nikam, reported the largest Australian series of its kind to date. The study assessed the feasibility and safety of robotic surgery for patients with severe endometriosis in a high-volume robotic surgical setting.  
 
The study reviewed the cases of 58 patients with stage 3-4 endometriosis who underwent multidisciplinary robotic surgery using the da Vinci Xi surgical system between January 2018 and July 2024. Findings revealed that robotic operating times were generally shorter than traditional laparoscopic surgery, with minimal complications and shorter hospital stays.  
 
While conventional laparoscopy has been considered the gold standard for treating deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) since the early 2000s, robotic-assisted surgery is emerging as a highly effective alternative. Surgeons benefit from enhanced 3D imaging and improved dexterity of robotic instruments, allowing better access to complex anatomical areas such as the pelvis. Notably, robotic 3D visualisation is associated with a more than twofold (2.36x) higher likelihood of detecting endometriosis lesions compared to standard 2D laparoscopy. 
 
This study builds on earlier research from the San’s robotic surgical team, which demonstrated similar benefits of robotic surgery for inguinal hernia repair in over 200 patients - including fewer complications, reduced pain, and faster recovery. 

You can view the Channel Nine's news story about this important work and how it's been life-changing below.