Robotic Surgery: Performing Complex Procedures Through Tiny Incisions
Incorporating technology in the operating room means smaller incisions and potentially faster recovery times. Depending on your procedure, specially trained Virtua surgeons may bring in a high-tech helper: a robotic surgical system.
We offer robot-assisted surgery at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes, Virtua Mount Holly, and Virtua Voorhees in the following specialties:
- Cardiothoracic (heart) surgery (at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes only), including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and valve repair
- Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery
- Colorectal surgery and colorectal cancer treatment
- Hernia repair
- Gynecologic surgery for hysterectomies, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and pelvic floor reconstruction
- Gynecologic cancer treatment (cervical, ovarian, uterine)
- Infertility treatment
- Urologic surgery, including prostatectomy and prostate cancer treatment
- Joint replacement surgery
Improved Precision, High-Definition View
Systems like the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System do not “do” the surgery, and do not replace the surgeon. The surgeon sits at a console close by the patient. Sophisticated controls smoothly transfer his or her hand movements to instruments inside the patient. The surgeon sees a magnified, three-dimensional, high-definition view of the surgical area, allowing him or her to perform the most delicate procedures.
This approach may provide better outcomes, such as:
- Smaller incisions
- A shorter stay in the hospital
- Less pain and scarring
- Less blood loss
- A lower risk of infection
- A faster recovery
Many robot-assisted cardiac surgeries can be performed without stopping the heart, eliminating the need for heart-lung bypass during the procedure and resulting in fewer post-operative complications.