Sep
Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine’s experienced specialists and staff pride themselves in providing personalized quality care for women in all phases of life. Dr. Taryll Jenkins has also invested in technologies that facilitate a comfortable, no-stress, and convenient experience. Robotic-Assisted Surgery in Katy, TX at the practice has opened up doors to minimally-invasive treatment of complex surgical procedures that otherwise would have been difficult or impossible with conventional techniques, and is associated with fewer risks of complications among those conditions that otherwise might be treated with traditional surgical, abdominal incisions (or laparotomy).
First developed for use in battlefield medicine, robotic surgery was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1999 for the treatment of cardiac conditions. In 2005, the FDA approved its use for the surgical treatment of gynecologic conditions. The da Vinci Surgery System used by our physicinas was approved by the FDA in 2000 and has since been widely adopted in both the United States and Europe for the treatment of a wide range of conditions. Common surgeries performed robotically include:
Surgeons such at Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Medicine appreciate the flexibility, precision, and control that they get with robotic assistance, versus conventional surgery techniques. Patients appreciate the minimally invasive nature of robotic treatment; surgeries may be performed through tiny incisions in the abdomen, versus the long or large single incision associated with open surgery. Generally, the less invasive the procedure, the less time on the operating table, the faster recovery and healing is, and the risk of operative and post-operative complications is reduced – ranging from excessive blood loss to infection and significant, visible scarring.
Popular robotic systems like the da Vinci are equipped with an “arm” for a tiny, sophisticated camera, as well as “arms” designed to hold surgical instruments. Specialists such as Dr. Jenkins controls the various arms while seated at a computer console located near the operating table. They’re able to see a high-definition, magnified, 3-dimensional view of the surgical site, thanks to that small, precision camera. The camera and instruments may be controlled via “graspers” that operate like fingers and foot pedals.
The use of robot-assisted surgery in gynecology has grown significantly since it was first approved by the FDA in the mid-2000s. Some of the most common gynecological conditions that may be treated with the da Vinci system and, generally, robot-assisted techniques include:
Benign hysterectomies represent one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the U.S. There has been a trend toward minimally invasive approaches as robotic hysterectomies have been linked to:
Robot-assisted procedures are still surgeries. With all surgical procedures comes some risk of complications. Hysterectomy surgery involves removing the uterus or womb through an incision in the lower abdomen. The incision may be made in the vagina or laparoscopically or robotically using skinny instruments that are passed through tiny incisions. Many of the conditions mentioned above may lead to Dr. Jenkins recommending treatment with a hysterectomy. Additional conditions that can be treated with a robot-assisted hysterectomy include fibroids, as this approach may be the only predictable and permanent way to relieve symptoms such as extreme pain or to treat very large benign, uterine tumors.
Jenkins Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Medicine understands that treatment related to these and other conditions are very personal in nature. They will discuss all your options, including nonsurgical methods, and the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted approaches such as the da Vinci system.
Call 855-346-8610 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced specialists, trained and skilled in robotic and minimally invasive techniques.
We offer general care, gynecology, and obstetrics services that span all
stages of a woman's life. Dr. Taryll L.
Jenkins, MD, received his undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University and his Doctorate of
Medicine from Meharry
Medical College School of Medicine, TN. He completed his residency training at the
University of Texas and Hermann Hospital, TX and is Board-certified from the American College of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, with years of research experience.
Having graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biological
Chemistry in 2011, Dr. Stephanie
Roy received her Doctor of Medicine Degree in 2015 from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Today,
she is a leading Board-certified physician who works hard to provide you and your family with
high-quality services. In addition to spending time at the practice, Dr. Roy possesses extensive
volunteer experience in the community. She was also a tutor at the Medical Careers Diversity Program
in 2012 and, since then, has spent her free time volunteering for the St. Vincent’s Clinic.
Dr. Tiffany Ikwuagwu is passionate about caring for the diverse communities in Katy, TX. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, her medical degree at the Baylor College of Medicine, and her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGovern Medical School, she worked as principal investigator on a research project with Dr. Nana Ankumah at UT Houston. A member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Ikwuagwu has served in several leadership roles and has made many contributions to the community.
Yara Ramirez, MD, earned her
Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University and her doctorate in medicine from the University
of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she also completed her residency. She won the
Resident Teaching Award from UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for two consecutive
years.
Dr. Ramirez has researched extensively on many obstetrics-related topics. She has been a Junior
Fellow Representative for the UTMB Residency Program and a Medical Student Education Committee
Member at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has volunteered for various local
and foreign community programs. Her fluency in Spanish and French is an asset to her organization.
Nadia Alexander is a Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. With seven years of experience in women’s health and a focus on obstetrics and ambulatory gynecology (vaginitis, UTI, and vaginal bleeding), she provides quality, compassionate care to patients in various stages of reproductive life. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the lead contact for our Telehealth service.