Intuitive Surgical Issues Statement in Response to ACOG Article

Intuitive Surgical ISRG released the following statement in response to ACOG article: "We agree that patients need factual information about all of their treatment options and the evidence supports that robotic surgery has dramatically decreased the number of open hysterectomies in the US. Where patients can receive a safe and effective surgery from a skilled laparoscopic or vaginal surgeon, those cases continue to be performed by traditional minimally invasive methods. However, there are still many cases that remain open procedures due to the surgical complexities of certain patients including size of uterus, high patient BMI, scarring from previous surgeries, and multiple C-sections to name just a few. As a tool, robotic surgery helps surgeons overcome the limitations of traditional MIS techniques to provide patients with a less invasive option and prevent the downstream costs and complications of an open procedure. It is well documented in the clinical literature a minimally invasive procedure compared to open is better for patients and saves cost for the entire health care system. Robotic surgery is a technological advance that is enabling more women to receive minimally invasive surgery."