pelvic organ prolapse overactive bladder stress incontinence urinary incontinence joseph t stubbs

Robotic Surgery

Pelvic organ prolapse is caused by a weakening of the pelvic floor structures (muscle and tissues), which support the pelvis, holding the bladder, uterus, and other pelvic organs in place. The symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse can range from mild to severe, depending upon the position of the prolapsed organ. Mild prolapse may not cause any symptoms. Moderate prolapse may cause a feeling of pressure in the vagina, discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen and/or lower back, and pain during sexual intercourse. Severe prolapse causes the same types of symptoms, but the pelvic organ is dropped down so far that it is visible or protruding through the vaginal opening.


Prolapse can also cause urinary symptoms, including stress and urge incontinence, and a feeling of being unable to completely empty the bladder. Additionally, prolapse can contribute to bowel issues such as constipation, incomplete emptying, and leakage of stool.

The DaVinci Surgical System

In July of 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the DaVinci Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical, Inc. making it the first robotic system allowed to be used in American operating rooms. Through very small incisions in the abdomen and using specialized instruments and a pencil-thin camera called a laparoscope to view the surgery on a TV monitor, surgery takes place with the aid of the robot. During robotic surgery, the surgeon is located a few feet from the operating table, although in the same room, and performs the surgery via a control console.


By using the robot, the surgeon’s natural hand and wrist movements are precisely duplicated by the specialized instruments, allowing for a more accurate dissection and superior visualization as compared to the traditional open and laparoscopic approaches. These advances in minimally invasive surgery allow highly complex procedures, which are traditionally done through a single large incision, to be performed through multiple small incisions.

Sacrocolpopexy

Sacrocolpopexy is one of the most successful operations used to correct vaginal vault prolapse, and it is considered by many to be the “gold-standard”. It involves attaching one end of a synthetic mesh to the top of the vagina and the other end to the sacral promontory (upper part of the tail bone or lower part of the spine); thereby restoring the vagina to its normal anatomic position.


Joseph T. Stubbs III, MD

Dr. Stubbs is the first and only surgeon in the region performing robotic sacrocolpopexy. By using the robot, Dr. Stubbs’ natural hand and wrist movements are precisely duplicated by the specialized instruments, allowing for a more accurate dissection and superior visualization as compared to the traditional open and laparoscopic approaches. Robotic sacrocolpopexy represents a state-of-the-art minimally invasive approach to the surgical correction of vaginal vault prolapse. And for most women, this translates into many benefits including:
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Less pain
  • Less blood loss and transfusions
  • Less scarring
  • Faster recovery
  • Quicker return to normal activities

Dr. Stubbs is the first and only surgeon in the region performing robotic sacrocolpopexy.
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