In the North Texas Gynecologic Oncology clinic, the patient’s condition was diagnosed as persistent and recurrent endometriosis of the vaginal cuff. Dr. Heffernan’s intended procedure was a robotic-assisted vaginal cuff revision, removal of the right ovary, and treatment of endometriosis. Sure enough, the first pass with the da Vinci endoscope revealed that her uterus has been removed and a healed vaginal cuff was in its place. Yet, the presence of endometriosis was extremely evident. Dr. Heffernan took a biopsy of the strange mass, which looked almost cyst-like. Worried about the potential for a malignancy (typical of a cancer doctor), Dr. Heffernan and I followed the specimen to pathology to diagnose it using a frozen section. The pathologist eased our fears by confirming the tissue as “classic endometriosis,” meaning it was entirely benign.
Overall, the visit was incredibly worthwhile and exciting. My mentor and I were also able to review background and general ideas behind my Final Product, which is always fun for both of us. He gave me some great articles that I will be able to use for research purposes moving forward, expediting a major part of the Final Product development stages. I am very thankful for all of his help in this regard. Every mentor visit and surgical observation is a learning experience, and the learning I have acquired from this week in particular is of entirely unique content. It is extremely encouraging to go on mentor visits and feel, after every single visit, even more committed to my passion for medicine and robotic surgery.
