Positive Changes in Women's Health

22 March 2012

Robotics And Cultural Birthing Practices Highlight Positive Changes In Women's Health
RANZCOG NZ Committee's Annual Scientific Meeting kicks off in Rotorua

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) New Zealand Committee kicked off its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) today in Rotorua with a keynote speech on the future of gynaecological surgery.

"Robotic surgery is the latest innovation in the field of minimally invasive surgery, providing superior visualisation and dexterity, permitting the surgeon to perform complex tasks that are difficult to master with conventional laproscopes," says Dr Martin Oehler, Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide and RANZCOG Fellow.

"The data shows that robotic surgery patients usually experience a much shorter hospital stay, less blood loss, less postoperative pain, faster recovery and fewer complications compared with open surgery and even conventional laparoscopy. In addition, robotics are ergonomically beneficial to the surgeon, reducing discomfort and fatigue and potential musculoskeletal occupational injury associated with conventional procedures."

More than 220 health professionals from around the country will be attending the conference to listen to 38 experts presenting on the latest topics in their field.
"This is an exciting time in women's health, and we have assembled a superb list of international and national speakers covering an array of topical and controversial subjects, including: cultural birthing practices; complications with identical twins; hysterectomy; robotic surgery; endometriosis; the impact of obesity during pregnancy; gestational diabetes; new contraceptive options and more," says Dr John Tait, Chair of the RANZCOG New Zealand Committee.

"We look forward to welcoming our speakers and Fellows, and engaging in discussions around the latest advances in women's health – a significant subject being that it impacts approximately half the New Zealand population. We hope sharing insights with the wider healthcare profession will lead to improvements in care for women around the country."

Attracting obstetricians, gynaecologists, GP-obstetricians, medical trainees, midwives and other health professionals from across New Zealand, the conference will showcase presentations from overseas and local experts over three days, providing current thinking on all the main areas of obstetrics and gynaecology.

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About RANZCOG:
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand.

ENDS

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