Robotic Removal of Ovarian Cyst Leads to Pregnancy for Mokena Mom

Photo: Dr. Nicole Gress (left) obstetrician/gynecologist, with Mokena resident Juliet Smith, whose pelvic pain is gone due to a robotic cystectomy she had at The Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital.

For six months, Mokena resident Juliet Smith suffered with severe pelvic pain during her periods and after as well as intense cramping; especially after her ovulation. At the same time, she was trying to conceive a second child with no success. She then decided to see obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Nicole Gress, who discovered a large cyst on Smith’s left ovary. Together they decided the best approach to relieve the 37 year-olds’ severe pelvic pain was to remove the large cyst by having a robotic cystectomy at The Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital. To Smith’s delight, after surgery she had no more pelvic pain during her periods, and now a mere few months later, she is thrilled to be expecting her second child.

“Dr. Gress was so thorough as she explained the process for robotic surgery. She even called me over the weekend to see how I was doing during my recovery,” said Smith. “As a result of her expertise and the attentive care I received from the nurses at Silver Cross, I was up and walking around hours after surgery. I even went home the same day. I wish I didn’t wait so long to have the surgery because I could have avoided being in such discomfort for so many months.”

“Juliet’s cyst was actually extremely large,” said Gress. “Even though her case was more complicated by removing such a large mass,the enhanced vision, precision, and dexterity that is gained by using the robot, enabled me to perform a successful surgery.”

Benefits to Robotic Cyctectomy

“During robotic cystectomy just three to five small incisions are made through the abdomen so patients, like Juliet, can get back to life faster without the usual recovery following major surgery,” said Dr. Gress. “In addition, there are many potential benefits over traditional open surgery, including minimal blood loss, less scarring, shorter hospital stay, low risk of complications, and a faster recovery.”

How Does it Work?

During the procedure, Dr. Gress sits comfortably at a console, viewing a 3D, high-definition image of the patient’s anatomy. She uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera. In real-time, the system translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments inside the patient.

Free Lecture – Dispelling the Myths of Ovarian Cysts

Join Dr. Nicole Gress, obstetrician and gynecologist, on Tuesday, January 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Dr. Gress will discuss treatment options including robotic surgery to treat ovarian cysts. She will also discuss some of the myths surrounding ovarian cysts. Register to attend at midwestroboticsurgery.org.

About Dr. Gress

Nicole Gress, M.D., is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology affiliated with The Midwest Institute of Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital. Dr. Gress attended medical school at Rush Medical College. She completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. To schedule an appointment, call her office at Partners in Obstetrics and Women’s Health at (815) 463-3000, located at Silver Cross Hospital Pavilion A, Suite 210, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is an independent, not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Truven Health Analytics 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years, a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers and was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety ScoreSM by The Leapfrog Group. With over 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 296-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2015, Silver Cross provided over $40 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org. Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.