Da Vinci hysterectomy offers fast recovery

After months of pain and multiple reports of precancerous cells, Chanda Ortt knew it was time for a hysterectomy so she chose an option that meant less time in the hospital and a quicker recovery.

Instead of a traditional hysterectomy, Ortt, 32, of Princeton had a hysterectomy with the da Vinci Surgical System.

“It was amazing,” said Ortt, the mother of three. “I was ready to get up and go as soon as I got out of surgery. It was almost completely painless.”

Baptist Health Paducah is the first hospital in the region with the da Vinci robot for hysterectomies, ovarian cysts and other abdominal problems, as well as prostate surgery.

Baptist Health Paducah obstetrician/gynecologist Brad Housman, M.D., said patients not only recover faster, but also they experience less pain with the minimally-invasive hysterectomy.

“I’ve been impressed how well they have done with shorter hospital stays and recovery afterward,” Dr. Housman said. “Patients are going home the very same day or the next morning, while with the traditional hysterectomy the stay is mostly three days.”