If your bleeding is not a sign of a more serious condition, there may be a new treatment option for you to consider. It’s called tranexamic acid, and it was approved by the FDA for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding late last year. (Tranexamic acid has been approved for treatment of other conditions since the mid-1980s.)

In tablet form, tranexamic acid is being marketed as Lysteda™. In Lysteda, tranexamic acid works by making the blood in your uterus more likely to form clots. These clots decrease the flow of blood from the lining of your womb.

Does it work?

According to studies discussed at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in May, more than 70% of the women who took the highest dose responded to the medication. Specifically, women with heavy menstrual bleeding who took tranexamic acid for three menstrual cycles experienced significant improvement in their quality of life.

Based on these studies, tranexamic acid is slightly more effective at reducing menstrual bleeding than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen. On the other hand, while NSAIDs offer pain relief, tranexamic acid will not relieve any pain.

Since tranexamic acid is a non-hormonal medication, it tends to cause fewer side effects. Hormonal side effects can include depression, acne, nausea, headaches, bloating, and a decreased interest in sex. In addition, while hormonal medication must be taken almost every day, Lysteda is usually taken three or four times a day during your period.

What are the potential side effects?

Although side effects with tranexamic acid are rare, nausea and muscle cramps sometimes occur. Other possible side effects include headache, sinus and nasal discomfort, back pain, abdominal pain, joint pain, spasms, anemia and fatigue. More severe side effects have included shortness of breath, tightening of the throat and facial flushing. If you experience these side effects, you should contact your doctor.

Women who take Lysteda along with birth control pills, hormonal therapy or certain medications that affect clotting or bleeding may be at higher risk of thrombosis, which is a potentially dangerous condition that occurs when a blood clot forms inside a blood vessel. If you’re interested in taking tranexamic acid, you should let your doctor know about any other medications you’re taking.

More information

If you’d like additional information, you can click on any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly.

Additional resources

Lysteda’s home page

Abnormal uterine bleeding

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is gynecologist located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

PMS and menopause 

Hormonal changes caused by PMS and menopause can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including cramps, irritability, mood swings, weight gain and bloating. Some of these symptoms may be managed by taking vitamins, minerals or supplements. But you should be aware that information on these products can be sketchy and incomplete. In addition, quality can be poor, inconsistent, and even dangerous. For example, while tryptophan has been shown to alleviate some PMS symptoms, there have been instances of tryptophan contamination in the past, and the safety of tryptophan’s manufacturing process is still in question.

How could this happen?

Unfortunately, government oversight of supplements is extremely lenient, due to permissive regulations and the FDA’s limited resources. While pharmaceutical drugs must demonstrate safety and effectiveness before they go on sale, there is no such process for supplements. In fact, because supplements are considered neither a food nor a drug, there is no government approval process at all for dietary supplements. The FDA can act only after consumers get sick or a safety issue is reported.

Mystery Ingredients

Certain supplements have been found to contain not enough or too much of various ingredients. Some contain undeclared and potentially dangerous ingredients such as bacteria, toxic plant material and heavy metals. Even more alarming has been the presence of prescription medications, controlled substances and untested experimental compounds. These substances have included everything from diuretics, which can cause dehydration and potassium deficiency, to amphetamines, which can lead to depression and addiction.

Untested chemical modifications

Some companies that make these kinds of products have also been known to modify ingredients’ chemical structures in order to evade detection or reduce the risk of patent infringement lawsuits. This kind of chemical tinkering has allowed some companies to disguise drugs such as fenfluramine, which was used in Fen-Phen and was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1997 after reports of heart disease.

How can you identify contaminated supplements?

Unless you have a clinical lab at your disposal, it’s very difficult to identify contaminated supplements. Although many are manufactured in China, they aren’t just made overseas or found only on the Internet. Earlier this year, a California-based company pleaded guilty to selling anabolic steroids labeled as weight loss supplements. Many supplements that were found to be contaminated were purchased in mainstream retail stores in the United States.

Why should I tell my doctor?

There are several reasons why you should let your doctor know if you’re taking or considering dietary or nutritional supplements, even if they’re labeled as “Natural” or are made by a reputable company. If your physician knows what you’re taking, he or she will be more likely to correctly diagnose any related side effects and let you know any potential adverse interactions with pre-existing conditions or other drugs you might be taking. More importantly, your physician may be more likely to identify a suspicious or dangerous product. 

More information

If you need additional information, you can click on any of the links below or you can contact my office directly.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Q&A

The New England Journal of Medicine article

Informed Choice supplement contamination study results

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is a certified OB/GYN in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when a certain kind of bodily tissue – the lining of the uterus, which is also called endometrial tissue – grows where it shouldn’t. Often it can grow near the ovaries, but it can also appear on most pelvic organs. The problem is that this tissue – wherever it appears – swells with blood during your period. Your uterus expels this blood, but blood in other areas of the pelvis has nowhere to go. 

This swelling can irritate nearby tissues, which can affect your reproductive organs and your monthly menstrual cycle. It can cause cramps and pain during your periods or pelvic pain throughout the month, as well as pain during or after sex. If undetected or untreated, this irritation eventually can cause scarring, which can bind organs together and interfere with efforts to get pregnant.

About 10% of all women will suffer from endometriosis in their lifetimes – usually during their reproductive years. While any woman may develop endometriosis, the following women seem to be at an increased risk:

• women who have a mother, sister or daughter with endometriosis
• women who are giving birth for the first time after age 30
• Caucasian women
• women with an abnormal uterus (including fibroids, adhesions and abnormal uterus shape)

Although there is no known cure, endometriosis can be managed with early diagnosis and treatment.

What are the treatment options for endometriosis?

If simple pain management is not enough, if there are health risks, or if fertility is a concern, endometriosis can be treated with hormone therapy, surgery, or a combination.

Just as birth control pills do, hormone therapy regulates or suppresses the hormones that control your menstrual cycle, which limits the swelling of all your endometrial tissue. Surgery can be used to remove cut away endometrial and scar tissue and, in severe cases, to remove the reproductive organs where the stray endometrial tissue is growing. About one in five hysterectomies (surgical removal of the uterus, and sometimes the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the cervix) are performed because of endometriosis.

Here’s where da Vinci surgery comes in. As with the other da Vinci surgical procedures I’ve written about here, da Vinci surgery provides similar access to an “open” incision but there’s typically less bleeding, less pain, minimal scarring, quicker recovery, a shorter hospital stay, and a lower likelihood of complications. Whether the surgery is just to remove endometrial and scar tissue or to conduct a hysterectomy, most women can expect less pain, less scarring and a much shorter recovery period than if they had undergone open surgery. Compared to non-remote-controlled laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci endometriosis surgery provides far greater access, precision and control.

It’s important to remember that surgery – even a hysterectomy – may not permanently remove endometriosis. After surgery, about 15-20% of patients have endometriosis symptoms again within five years. However, surgery can be combined with hormone treatment to manage endometriosis.

Here’s a quote from a woman who was treated for endometriosis using da Vinci surgery.

“I spent 24 hours in the hospital. I was home by noon the next day. I walked into my house on my own, took a shower, made myself a ham and cheese sandwich and checked my e-mails. The only pain medication I took was a couple of Ibuprofen.” – Penne, California

This quote and others can be found on www.davincistories.com.

More information

If you need additional information, you can follow any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly.

Links to da Vinci surgery resources

da Vinci surgery

da Vinci endometriosis surgery

da Vinci surgery patient stories

Dr. Garofalo’s da Vinci information page

Dr. Garofalo’s da Vinci endometriosis information page

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is a certified da Vinci surgeon in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

In my last blog I wrote about Essure, a relatively new procedure that offers a highly effective option for permanent birth control. One of the best ways to evaluate whether or not a medical procedure is right for you is to look at it in terms of its risks and benefits. Here are some more questions and answers that I hope will help you with your decision.

Is the Essure procedure effective?

While no form of birth control is 100% effective, fewer than one in 100,000 pregnancies occur when tubal blockage has been confirmed by the three-month test. The Essure procedure is the only birth control method with zero pregnancies in clinical trials.

Is the Essure procedure safe?

Studies have shown that the Essure procedure is safe. However, as with most birth control methods, there are risks. In some cases one or both Essure coils may not place properly in the Fallopian tubes and may have to be re-applied.

Is the Essure procedure painful?

In most cases the pain of an Essure procedure is far less and shorter-lasting than the pain often associated with a surgical procedure such as tubal ligation. Symptoms during or immediately after an Essure procedure may include mild to moderate cramping, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and bleeding. However, pain from the procedure is usually relatively mild. In a medical study published in 2005, 72 women who were surveyed immediately after undergoing the Essure procedure said the pain they felt was slightly less on average than the pain they experienced during their menstrual cycle.

How long does the Essure procedure take?

Essure patients are asked to arrive an hour before the procedure time. Once inside the examination room, the cervix is numbed and the uterus is filled with a liquid saline solution. The next step, insertion of the coils into the Fallopian tubes, takes about 10 minutes. The three-month test usually takes about an hour.

How long does Essure procedure recovery last?

Most women return to their normal activities in less than a day.

How quickly does the Essure procedure work?

It usually takes about three months for the Essure treatment to completely block both Fallopian tubes. During this time, women should continue to use a backup form of birth control. After three months, the Essure procedure’s effectiveness is tested using an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) test, which uses dye to test the seal. In some cases it may take six months or longer for the Fallopian tubes to become completely obstructed.

Will the Essure procedure affect my monthly cycle?

Unlike many temporary methods of birth control such as birth control pills, the patch and some IUDs, the Essure coils do not contain hormones. They will not interfere with your monthly cycle.

Is the Essure procedure covered by my insurance?

Essure procedures are covered by most insurance providers. If the procedure is performed in a doctor’s office, a co-pay may be all you need to pay. My office can work with you and your insurance company to determine what your insurance company will cover.

How does the Essure procedure compare to getting your tubes tied?

Tubal ligation, or “getting your tubes tied” is a procedure that involves severing Fallopian tubes or pinching them shut. It can be done via cutting or burning the Fallopian tubes, or by using rings or clips that restrict part of the Fallopian tubes. The procedure usually takes one to two hours, with general anesthesia. It’s usually done in a hospital or a clinic.

The Essure procedure is different from tubal ligation in that it does not involve cutting, it does not require general anesthesia, and it usually takes about 10 minutes. More than half of all Essure procedures are performed in a doctor’s office.

More information

If you’d like additional information, you can click on any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly.

Links to Essure resources

Essure’s home page
Essure patient and physician testimonials
Essure patient information booklet pdf
Essure confirmation test booklet pdf
Dr. Garofalo’s webpage on permanent birth control and Essure
Dr. Garofalo’s Essure consent form pdf

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is a gynecologist located in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

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Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions from my patients about the Essure birth control procedure. Maybe it’s because of the recent publicity from Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street, who announced earlier this year that she’d undergone the procedure. In any case, I thought I’d answer some of the most common questions I’ve heard. I’ve also included some useful links at the bottom of this blog.

What is Essure?

The Essure procedure is a permanent birth control method developed by an American company called Conceptus. Essure is their main product.

During the procedure, tiny flexible coils made out of polyester fibers, nickel-titanium and stainless steel are passed by a small tube called a catheter from the vagina through the cervix and uterus and into the Fallopian tubes. (Fallopian tubes are two very thin tubes that lead from the ovaries into the uterus.) Once in place, the Essure coils cause tissue growth (scarring), which seals a portion of the Fallopian tubes. This tissue barrier prevents sperm from reaching the ovaries.

How long has the Essure procedure been used?

Hundreds of thousands of women have had the Essure procedure, which was approved for use in the United States in 2002. I’ve been conducting Essure procedures for several years.

While the Essure procedure is relatively new, Essure coils are made from materials that have been used successfully for many years in cardiac stents and other medical devices that are placed in the body.

Is the Essure procedure permanent?

According to the manufacturer, the Essure procedure is intended to be permanent and non-reversible. However, as of last month, less than two dozen successful Essure reversals have been performed – all in the past three years – and the first “Essure reversal baby” was born just a few months ago.

Before having the Essure procedure, you should be sure that you do not want to have any more children.

Is the Essure procedure right for me?

Most women are candidates for the Essure method, but sometimes the coils cannot be placed due to issues such as prior tubal blockage, fibroids distorting the uterine cavity, or uterine septum (when a wall of tissue divides part or all of the uterus). In addition, the Essure procedure is not recommended for women who:

• are pregnant or have been pregnant in the past six weeks
• are not certain they are finished having children
• have had a recent infection in the pelvis
• have serious, chronic health problems
• are allergic to contrast dye or nickel
• are taking corticosteroids (a type of anti-inflammatory drug)

If you’ve had any of these conditions, we can discuss whether Essure is appropriate for you.

Tune in next week …

In my next blog I’ll write about the Essure procedure’s risks and benefits, and how it compares to another procedure, called tubal ligation – or “getting your tubes tied”.

More information

If you’d like additional information, you can click on any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly.

Links to Essure resources

Essure’s home page
Essure patient and physician testimonials
Essure patient information booklet pdf
Essure confirmation test booklet pdf
Dr. Garofalo’s webpage on permanent birth control and Essure
Dr. Garofalo’s Essure consent form pdf

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is gynecologist located in Fairfield County, Connecticut including Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Westport and Danbury. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

Prolapse literally means “to fall out of place”. When pelvic organ prolapse occurs, organs such as the uterus or bladder fall down or slip out of place, often pushing into or through the vagina. Pelvic organ prolapse can be uncomfortable and it can interfere with urination, bowel movements and sexual activity.

Going back just a decade or so, the most common treatment options for serious pelvic organ prolapse cases were relatively limited. Reconstructive surgery was one option, and hysterectomy was another. Today, an increasingly common option is called sacrocolpopexy. This is an open surgery in which soft synthetic mesh is used to permanently hold the vagina in the correct anatomical position. After the surgery, your body creates tissue that grows through and around the mesh, helping to restore your anatomy to its natural position and reinforcing the structures around your vagina to maintain support.

This is where da Vinci technology comes in. Instead of the 15-30 cm incision needed for a “regular”, open-surgery sacrocolpopexy, the da Vinci system uses five very small abdominal incisions and state-of-the-art computer technology to convert my hand movements into precise movement of the da Vinci surgical instruments. The procedure usually takes only one or two hours.

As with other da Vinci procedures, da Vinci sacrocolpopexy can provide several advantages. Compared to open abdominal surgery, there’s typically less bleeding, less pain, minimal scarring, quicker recovery, a shorter hospital stay, and a lower likelihood of complications. After a da Vinci sacrocolpopexy, most women usually return home the next day. Many women resume most normal daily activities within four days and recover in two to three weeks, although heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and sexual intercourse should be avoided for up to six weeks.

Sacrocolpopexy also can be performed as a preventative measure. If you or someone you know has decided to have a hysterectomy, sacrocolpopexy can be done after the hysterectomy to provide long-term support of the vagina.

Here are a few quotes from women who have had da Vinci sacrocolpopexy. These quotes and the stories behind them can be found on www.davincistories.com.

“I had a problem with uterine prolapse and urination. I am 100% better after having da Vinci Surgery. Recovery was very fast. There was no pain or discomfort. I was back to work in three weeks, but I could have gone back sooner. I would definitely recommend this surgery to anyone who needs it. It was a breeze.” – Velma, Norwalk CT

“I would not think twice about having another surgery with the da Vinci surgical method. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with my outcome, and I am only five days post-op.” – Diane, North Haven CT

If you live in Connecticut, Dr. Garofalo is a gynecologist serving the Stamford and Bridgeport metro areas.

da Vinci myomectomy

In my last blog I wrote about hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) and how this surgery is well-suited for surgery using the da Vinci approach. One of the main reasons a woman might consider a hysterectomy is the presence of uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumors that grow out from the muscle layer and connective tissue in the uterus. Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas or myomas) are very common, especially during a woman’s middle and later reproductive years: about 20-40% of women will be diagnosed with uterine fibroids at some point in their lives.

In most cases uterine fibroids are harmless. But sometimes they can cause heavy and painful menstruation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary frequency and urgency. Uterine fibroids that are located inside the uterine cavity can make it difficult or impossible to conceive a child, and they can cause complications in pregnancy, including bleeding, miscarriage, premature labor, or interference with the position of the fetus.

If you or someone you know has problems with uterine fibroids, there are several options for treatment. In some cases, simple observation or medication may be enough. Hysterectomy is another option. But in certain cases, especially if you’re trying to get pregnant, myomectomy (surgical removal of uterine fibroids) may be worth considering, especially because myomectomy preserves the uterus for reproduction. Similar to the da Vinci hysterectomy, da Vinci myomectomy uses small incisions in the abdomen. From a nearby console, I control cameras and various surgical instruments to expose and remove the fibroids. Once the removal is complete, the incisions in the uterine wall and the abdomen are closed and sealed.

As I’ve mentioned in my other blogs, the da Vinci approach allows precision and control that’s crucial when working in close proximity to delicate organs. Compared to open abdominal surgery, there’s typically less bleeding, less pain, minimal scarring, quicker recovery, a shorter hospital stay, and a lower likelihood of complications. After a da Vinci myomectomy, most women will require an overnight hospital stay and should be able to resume normal activities within two  weeks – about three times faster than recovery from an open procedure.

Here are a few quotes from women who have had da Vinci myomectomies. These quotes and the stories behind them can be found on www.davincistories.com.

“da Vinci Surgery is really rather pleasant (as surgery goes). I woke up with nothing but Band-Aids on my tiny wounds. I also immediately felt the absence of my fibroid. I have no more wicked pains during menstruation, so I am really glad I had this surgery. I’d highly recommend it. I am better than new now.” – Lisa, White Plains NY

“[My fibroid] was removed without leaving big scars on my body and leaving me in bed for weeks. Additionally and most importantly, my fertility was not affected.” – Ivanice, Montclair NJ

“I was amazed at how quick the recovery was. It was done as an outpatient procedure, and I was out of the hospital the next day. – Deniza, Syracuse, NY

More information

If you’d like more information, including a video description of the procedure, go to this page on my website. The testimonial video links are on the left:

http://www.garofaloobgyn.com/uterine_fibroids.html

If you need additional information, you can click on any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly.

In my next blog, I’ll write about another condition called sacrocolpopexy that can also be treated using da Vinci.

Links to da Vinci surgery resources

daVinciSurgery.com

da Vinci Myomectomy

da Vinci Surgery Patient Stories

Dr. Garofalo’s da Vinci information page

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is a certified da Vinci surgeon and OB-GYN in Norwalk, CT and sees patients throughout Fairfield County including Norwalk, Westport, Stamford, Bridgeport and Danbury. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

This combination of detail and precision makes da Vinci very well suited for a variety of surgery types and procedures, including several that I do regularly as part of my medical practice. For this blog I thought I’d talk about da Vinci surgery and hysterectomy.

Not your mother’s hysterectomy

If your mother or grandmother had a hysterectomy, it was probably done vaginally or through a horizontal incision in the abdomen. She probably stayed in the hospital for about six days, with a recovery period that lasted four weeks or longer. In comparison, women who have a da Vinci hysterectomy can expect to stay in the hospital for about one day, followed by about a week of recovery.

As a minimally invasive procedure, the da Vinci hysterectomy is a much simpler and less traumatic experience. Instead of a long incision, da Vinci hysterectomy uses five small incisions, spaced across the abdomen. Compared to open abdominal surgery, there’s less bleeding, less pain, minimal scarring, quicker recovery, a shorter hospital stay, and a lower likelihood of complications.

Here are a few quotes from women who have had da Vinci hysterectomies, including one of my own patients. These quotes and many others can be found on www.davincistories.com.

“I am truly amazed how quickly I was able to recover after having major surgery. My incisions were minimal, my recovery was quick.” – Maureen, Madison CT

“The da Vinci procedure has transformed the surgical procedure from a long, difficult recovery to a relatively painless, quick procedure with very little downtime. It is perfect for active working people who don’t have six weeks to be down.” – Anne, Enfield CT

“I had my surgery a week before Christmas, and I was up to entertaining for the holidays.” – Tina, West Suffield CT

More information

If you’d like more information or to see a da Vinci hysterectomy testimonial, go to this page on my website. The testimonial video is at the bottom:

http://www.garofaloobgyn.com/hysterectomy.html

If you need additional information, you can click on any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly. In my next blog, I’ll write about another condition called myomectomy that can also be treated using da Vinci.

Links to da Vinci surgery resources

daVinciSurgery.com

da Vinci Hysterectomy

da Vinci Surgery Patient Stories

Dr. Garofalo’s da Vinci information page

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is a certified da Vinci surgeon and gynecologist in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

As I mentioned in my last blog, the da Vinci Surgical System uses a computerized interface between the surgeon and the instruments to conduct surgical procedures. The name “da Vinci” was chosen for the system because legendary artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci is credited with designing the first robot. It’s also a fitting name because Leonardo da Vinci used anatomical accuracy and three-dimensional details to lend realism to his art.

For many people, the use of robots or robotic tools in surgery raises some concerns. One commonly accepted definition of a robot is “an automatically guided machine, able to do tasks on its own.” This definition is a bit vague, but experts generally agree that robots tend to do some or all of the following: move around, operate a mechanical limb, sense and manipulate their environment, and exhibit intelligent behavior, especially behavior which mimics humans or other animals.

Given only those definitions to describe da Vinci technology, I’d be concerned too. To be honest, I’ve avoided using the word “robot” or “robotic” to describe the da Vinci Surgical System in my website. It’s not really an accurate term, since the da Vinci system is directed and controlled by a human being – in this case, a specially trained surgeon whose finger movements are transmitted electronically from a console in the surgery room to the da Vinci cameras and surgical instruments. Along with the surgeon and the equipment, an assistant surgeon, an anesthesiologist, and a nurse are generally by the patient’s bed.

While it’s definitely not the kind of robot you might picture from the movies, da Vinci surgery draws upon years of robotic technology. The cameras and surgical tools are truly state-of-the-art, and provide a level of precision which is crucial when working in close proximity to delicate organs like the bladder. Benefits of da Vinci surgery usually include:

• Less pain after surgery
• Less scarring
• Lower risk of infection
• Less blood loss
• Faster recovery

When my patients ask me about da Vinci technology, I generally tell them this: The da Vinci Surgical System is not the only option for surgery, but it has many advantages and few disadvantages relative to more traditional methods of surgery.

In my next blog, I’ll write about the types of conditions that can be treated using da Vinci. If you need information more quickly, you can click on any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly.

Links to da Vinci surgery resources

daVinciSurgery.com

da Vinci Surgery Patient Stories

Dr. Garofalo’s da Vinci information page

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is a certified da Vinci surgeon in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.

In the next few weeks, I’ll be posting a series of blogs about da Vinci surgery and how I use it in my own medical practice. If you have any experiences you’d like to share, please feel free to comment.

First, here’s a bit of history about the da Vinci Surgical System:

Back in the late 1980s, a company working with the U.S. Army developed a system that would allow surgeons to perform battlefield surgery by using remote-controlled medical instruments and cameras. This allowed the surgeons to stay away from the fighting, but it had a few other advantages. The surgery was highly precise and “minimally invasive” (it used very small incisions, usually allowing for quicker recovery and less bleeding than “open” surgery). It’s not exaggerating to say that this company developed a breakthrough in surgical technology.

Some of the people associated with the project realized that the technology could be used with a wide variety of surgeries, and not just on the battlefield. In 1995, a company called Intuitive Surgical was founded to develop the technology for commercial use. Intuitive Surgical launched the da Vinci Surgical System in 1999, and in 2000, da Vinci became the first surgical system of its kind approved by the FDA for general laparoscopic surgery. Since then the da Vinci Surgical System has been used successfully in tens of thousands of procedures.

Next week I’ll write about how da Vinci surgery works. If you need information more quickly, you can click on any of the links below, or you can contact my office directly.

Links to da Vinci surgery resources

daVinciSurgery.com
da Vinci Surgery Patient Stories
Dr. Garofalo’s da Vinci information page

Dr. John Garofalo, M.D., is a certified da Vinci surgeon in Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information on Dr. Garofalo and his medical practice, go to www.garofaloobyn.com. Dr. Garofalo can be reached for a personal consultation at 203.803.1098.