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Business & Tech

New Lenox Woman Relieved of Pelvic Pain After Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital

Dr. Francisco Garcini will host a free program on pelvic pain and will discuss the da Vinci surgical robot on Jan. 30.

For months New Lenox resident Pauline Guadagno suffered with severe pain in her abdomen area and lower left side near her stomach. 

After a cyst was discovered on Guadagno’s right ovary, it was determined that the best way to relieve her pain was to have surgery using the minimally invasive da Vinci Robot System.

"I am amazed how quick and pain-free my recovery was after having my total hysterectomy and oophorectomy with the da Vinci robot," said the 57-year-old Guadagno.

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A sponsored article by Silver Cross Hospital

Within five days Guadagno was shocked at how well she felt, and under the advisement of her doctor she returned to work in two weeks, with some restrictions. Previously with traditional open surgery, the recovery period for this procedure would have been six to eight weeks.

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"I highly recommend anyone needing to have this type of procedure to choose the robotic surgery option because you will have little scars, a quicker recovery and much less disruption to your life," Guadagno said.

How Does It Work?

Controlled by a surgeon from a console, the innovative da Vinci robot is used to make 8mm (1/3 inch) to 12 mm (1/2 inch) incisions and then long, delicate instruments are inserted into the patient that enable specially trained physicians to perform the surgery.

Misconceptions still exist that the robot is actually performing the surgery all by itself. 

"The important aspect to understand is that the da Vinci robotic system cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions by itself," said Francisco Garcini, M.D., Ph.D., who is Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Gynecology at Silver Cross Hospital. "The da Vinci System can only operate with direct input from the surgeon."

The enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control of the da Vinci robot allows physicians to perform an excellent surgery even for women with complex and severe pelvic pain cases.

"Da Vinci surgery offers women many potential benefits over traditional open surgery, including less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and low rate of complications," Dr. Garcini said.

Prior to surgery, Guadagno met with her physician, Dr. Garcini, who is an obstetrician and gynecologist on staff at Silver Cross Hospital.

"Dr. Garcini and his staff thoroughly prepared me for my robotic surgery with consultations and an educational DVD that explained what I could expect," Guadagno said. "And my experience with the surgery staff and recovery nurses at Silver Cross Hospital was great. They were all so attentive to my needs."

What Is Pelvic Pain?

Pelvic pain is pain in the lowest portion of your abdomen and pelvis below the belly button. Usually, pelvic pain refers to symptoms in women, arising from the reproductive or urinary systems. 

Depending on its source, pelvic pain may be dull or sharp; it may be constant or off and on (intermittent); and it may be mild, moderate or severe. Chronic female pelvic pain refers to any constant or intermittent pelvic pain that has been present for at least six months.

Sometimes, you may notice pelvic pain only at certain times, such as during urination, menstruation or sexual activity. In others, the pain is so steady and severe that it’s hard to sleep, work, or enjoy life.

Find Relief

Join Dr. Francisco Garcini, Co-Medical Director of the Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, on Wednesday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center 1, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox for a free program, Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis. He will explore the new surgical options available at Silver Cross to treat pelvic pain and endometriosis. He also will discuss how the da Vinci surgical robot gives the trained gynecologic surgeon a unique advantage in performing these surgeries successfully. Register to attend this free program at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

About Dr. Francisco Garcini

Francisco Garcini, M.D., Ph.D., attended medical school at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Fla. He completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at the University of Texas in Houston, Texas. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcini, contact his office at Partners in Obstetrics & Women's Health, located at the new Silver Cross Hospital Pavilion A, 1870 Silver Cross Blvd., Suite 210, New Lenox, at (815) 463-3000.

About the Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Silver Cross Hospital was recently designated as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG) by the AAGL, the leading association of minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons worldwide, and Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). In addition, four physicians on the Silver Cross Medical Staff also received COEMIG designation. These doctors are Francisco Garcini, M.D., Ph.D.; Nahla Merhi, M.D; Thomas Kazmierzcak, M.D.; and Peter Vienne, D.O. 

Silver Cross Hospital’s COEMIG program provides women with innovative, minimally invasive surgical treatment options for hysterectomies, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, prolapse, and other gynecologic conditions. Patients are cared for in a new 304-bed Hospital located at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. 

The Silver Cross Procedural Care Unit is equipped with 11 state-of-the-art surgical suites specially designed for minimally invasive procedures, private pre and post procedure patient rooms, and a spacious lounge for family and friends.  Silver Cross also has a da Vinci robot, which is the most advanced robotic-assisted technology available today to perform gynecologic surgical procedures.  In the past nine months, Silver Cross has performed more than 200 procedures using the da Vinci robot.

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