Da Vinci Robot Surgical Team: Pictured left to right – Leanne Townsend, ST; Mallory McGlothin, ST; Brooke Monroe, RN; and Christine Newman, RN, Robot Coordinator
Until the past several years, patient options for traditional surgery included large, open incisions or laparoscopy, which uses small incisions but is typically limited to very simple procedures. Thanks to a breakthrough in surgical technology, there is a new category of surgery allowing surgeons to offer a minimally invasive option for complex surgical procedures.
Dr. Darden North, Jackson Healthcare for Women, was the first surgeon to utilize the newly installed da Vinci Robot at Woman’s Hospital on December 23, 2010. The precision of the da Vinci made it ideal for his patient’s total laparoscopic hysterectomy. “The high definition vision and greater range of motion make robotic surgery more amendable to performing gynecologic procedures. It is truly beneficial to patients in minimizing post-operative discomfort and time away from family and work and aids surgeons by maximizing success in performing minimally-invasive procedures,” said Dr. North.
Several gynecologic procedures, including hysterectomies, can be performed with the aid of the new equipment. Dr. John Baten, Women’s Health Associates, performed Woman’s first single port total laparoscopic hysterectomy, cystoscopy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy procedure on January 7, 2011. A single port procedure involves performing the entire surgery through one small incision in the belly button that is only 2.5cm. “The device allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with unmatched precision, dexterity and control which dramatically reduces the patients’ recovery times,” said Dr. Baten.
The da Vinci hysterectomy offers numerous potential benefits over traditional approaches to vaginal, laparoscopic or open abdominal hysterectomy, particularly when performing more challenging procedures like radical hysterectomy for gynecologic cancer.
The da Vinci Si HD offers a number of benefits to patients, including:
•Requires just a few tiny incisions for minimal scarring
•Faster post-surgery recovery (days versus weeks)
•Significantly less pain and less blood loss
•Less risk of infection
•Shorter hospital stay
•Faster return to normal activities
•Overall increased satisfaction
Sherry Pitts, CEO of Woman’s Hospital, said, “Obtaining the da Vinci system allowed us to bring state-of-the-art technology to our surgeons. We are now able to offer a new level of surgical options to our patients due to this amazing technology coupled with our outstanding surgeons and medical staff.
Comments