New Robotic-assisted Surgery
Robotic-assisted surgery is the next revolution in health care - allowing surgeons to perform certain types of procedures (such as
heart valve repair
,
hysterectomy
and
prostate cancer removal
) with much smaller incisions and greater precision/range of motion. Robotic-assisted surgery generally leads to improved comfort and outcomes for most patients including:
- smaller incisions, less scarring
- shorter hospital stay and recovery time (traditional surgeries often require 8-12 week recovery, with the robotic system recovery can be as short as 10 days)
- faster return to normal daily activities
- less pain/greater comfort
- lowered risk of infection and other complications
- better outcomes (in many cases)
As with any surgical procedure, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is both patient-specific and procedure-specific.
How does the robotic surgical system work?
Put most simply, the robotic system acts like a surgeon's third hand. During robotic-assisted surgery, our surgeons use a specially-designed computer console to control surgical instruments on thin robotic arms. The robotic console gives surgeons better vision and depth of the patient's surgical area through 3D images and high resolution magnification. The robotic arms, designed to mimic the movement of human hands, wrists and fingers, are manipulated by the surgeon and perform the most delicate and complex procedures with greater range of motion, precision and dexterity.
When a robotic-assisted surgery is performed, small incisions or ports are made in the patient's surgical area. Then, surgical instruments attached to the robotic arms, and a tiny endoscope (camera) are placed through the ports. Sitting at a nearby computer console, the surgeon views a 3D image of the surgical site, where he/she can zoom in and out to change the surgical view. The surgeon then controls the movement of the instruments and camera with extreme precision.
For More Information
Learn more about heart procedures
that Regions cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons are performing or call us at 651-254-4130.
Learn more about urology/prostate cancer procedures
or call us at 651-254-8500.
Learn more about hysterectomy and other gynecologic procedures
or call us at 651-293-8255 and ask for Wendy or Kathy.
To learn more about Regions Hospital da Vinci® robotic system, go to
davincisurgery.com.
