da Vinci Robotic Surgery

The da Vinci Robotic system is a state-of-the-art surgical system designed to help surgeons perform complicated surgeries, once only achievable through large abdominal incisions, now with very small incisions. The potential benefits over an abdominal incision include:

  • Significantly less pain
  • Less blood loss and need for transfusions
  • Less risk of infection
  • Less scarring
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Shorter recovery time
  • Quicker return to most normal activities


Surgeons have enhanced abilities to perform complicated surgeries because the da Vinci Robot improves visualization of internal organs with a 3-D field of view, increases precision of a surgeon’s movements, and expands a surgeon’s control over all surgical instruments.

Although it is called a “robot,” the da Vinci Surgical System cannot act on its own. Instead, every surgical maneuver is performed only under the precise control of a surgeon. The instruments used with the da Vinci robot usually measure less than an inch in length and approximately 1/4 of an inch in width. Thus, these tiny instruments can be inserted into the abdomen with very small 1/2 inch incisions.

Dr. Jukes has been focused on gynecology and minimally invasive procedures and surgeries since 2003.  She serves as a proctor or teacher to other physicians wanting to incorporate use of the da Vinci system into their practice.  Dr. Juke has performed over 200 surgeries with a conversion to open rate of less than 1%.

The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (October 2010) AAGL position statement is as follows:

“When hysterectomy is necessary; the demonstrated safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness of vaginal hysterectomy and laparascopic hysterectomy mandate that they be the procedure of choice.”

“Surgeons without the requisite training and skills required for the safe performance of VH or LH should enlist the aid of colleagues who do or should refer patients requiring hysterectomy to such individuals for their surgical care.”

Dr. Jukes is excited to offer this technology to her patients. This is a major advancement in the surgical approach to complicated female surgeries like sacrocolpopexy for pelvic prolapse repair.  Use of the da Vinci Robotic system allows patients a rapid return to work, and  daily activities, as well as shortened hospital stays and has been shown to reduce post op surgical pain and adhesion formation.