Pictured above is a da Vinci Robotic Surgical System like the one being leased by Memorial Hospital. The robot will allow surgeries to be performed with smaller incisions, allowing shorter recovery times.
(Photo submitted)
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The Memorial Health Board of Trustees recently approved the acquisition of a da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System, a piece of technology that should help the system recruit surgeons in the future.
The new device aims to advance Memorial’s technology base for minimally invasive surgical care across a spectrum of procedures in urology, general surgery and gynecology.
“As technology becomes more advanced, Memorial Health continues to invest in equipment and services to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Chip Hubbs, CEO and President of Memorial Health. “The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System will enhance our surgical suite and join our state-of-the-art robotic surgical assistant utilized for hip and knee joint replacements.
“Expanding robotic surgery at Memorial Hospital allows us to continue our commitment to the very best care for our patients.”
After a $210,000 payment for startup equipment, Memorial will make lease payments on the $2-million robot over five years.
Spence Fisher, Memorial Executive Vice President, said the health system will have four staff surgeons certified to use the robot by September. Memorial currently has one surgeon updating his certification on the device and three new ones coming onboard at the end of the summer who are also certified. The inclusion of the robotic surgical system allows Memorial to be a more desirable destination for young surgeons, Fisher said.
“Surgeons today all come out being trained on the robot,” Fisher said.
Expected to be in operation in late August/early September, the device will allow Memorial’s surgical team to perform a series of minimally invasive procedures:
•General Surgery: hernia repairs, gallbladder removal, foregut procedures (esophageal, hiatal hernia, stomach and small bowel)
•Urologic Surgery: prostate removal, bladder and kidney cancer surgeries
•Colorectal Surgery: colon and rectal procedures including colon cancer and removal of parts of the colon
•Gynecologic Surgery: endometriosis, hysterectomy and fibroid removal
The da Vinci device gives the surgeon total control of the robotic-assisted system, which translates their hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. The system’s immersive 3D,HD vision provides surgeons with a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient.
According to Fisher, the benefits to patients are vast, including reduced post-surgery pain, reduced complications, reduced risk of injury to surrounding tissue, reduced blood loss, fewer and smaller scars and faster recovery which can translate into shorter hospitals stays.
“The incisions are smaller, so you heal faster,” Fisher said.