Every day thousands of people have robotic-assisted procedures performed with the da Vinci Surgical System.
If you or a loved one has robot-assisted surgery soon, it’s helpful to understand what robotic-assisted surgery means for you, and what to expect the day of and afterward.
In this blog post, we want to explore how robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System allows surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive surgical procedures with more precision and accuracy, as well as what you can expect as a patient.
About da Vinci Surgical System
Like our surgeons at Wiregrass Surgical, thousands of surgeons around the world have been trained on da Vinci systems. More than 10 million+ surgical procedures using da Vinci surgical systems have been completed worldwide, and there are more than 6,730 da Vinci systems and 69 countries currently using these systems.
All five of our general surgeons are trained to use the da Vinci robotic surgical system, the most advanced minimally invasive operative platform out there. In fact, Flowers Hospital, where we operate, was the first hospital in the Southeast to add a second robot and the first of 159 Community Health Systems hospitals in the nation to add a third da Vinci robot in the operating room.
At Wiregrass Surgical, we have access to three da Vinci Surgical Systems to aid our surgeons in surgical procedures for a variety of conditions.
The da Vinci Surgical System provides our surgeons with:
- Precision, dexterity, and control
- The ability to perform surgery with 1-2 cm incisions instead of longer ones
The da Vinci Surgical System consists of:
- An ergonomically designed surgeon’s console
- A patient cart with four interactive robotic arms
- A high-performance vision system with patented EndoWrist instruments
How it works
The da Vinci surgical system uses state-of-the-art robotic, computer and optical technologies to assist our surgeons during your operation. Your surgeon sits beside you at a computer console, using hand controls to manipulate surgical tools attached to the robot. However, the robot is not automated. The surgeon is in complete control, making all decisions and movements throughout the surgery. The imagery the surgeon sees is three-dimensional, high-definition and magnified — offering superior vision and precision.
Unlike traditional laparoscopic instrumentation, da Vinci instruments are equipped with mechanical “wrists” that bend and rotate even better than a human wrist, enabling your surgeon to make tiny, precise movements to perform your procedure. Robotic technology also eliminates tremor, or unsteady hands, which allows for even greater accuracy.
Robotic-assisted surgical areas
There are several different areas of the body where a surgeon can use the da Vinci surgical system. These include:
- Cardiovascular (heart)
- Colorectal (colon and rectum)
- General surgery (digestive tract and hernia repairs)
- Gynecology
- Thoracic
- Urology
General surgery procedures our doctors perform include inguinal hernia repair, ventral hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, and bariatric surgery, among others.
How to prepare for surgery
The most important thing to do before surgery is talk to your surgeon about your procedure, post-operative care and any concerns you have. There are also a few additional ideas to help you prepare for surgery day:
- Follow all care instructions. Your surgeon and his/her team will provide you with a list of instructions before and after surgery. If you haven’t received these yet, call our office.
- Check your insurance coverage. Talk to your health insurance provider about your surgery and understand your out of pocket costs. Our office can help you find out what your insurance covers and what it does not.
- Prepare for post-surgery care and limitations. Talk with your doctor about what you may or may not be able to do after surgery and make arrangements at home for care if necessary. Set up your post-operative appointment and remember if there are ever any concerns, we have a doctor on call 24/7 to help with any problems that arise.
- Prepare your bags. If you plan to stay in the hospital overnight, bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and any other personal items you need to be comfortable.
- Wear comfortable clothes. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes on the day of surgery. Avoid makeup, perfumes, and jewelry.
- Bring your ID. Bring a driver’s license or ID, insurance card(s), medications list, and a form of payment to cover your copay on the day of surgery.
Our surgeons at Wiregrass Surgical are always looking for the best options to perform surgery on our patients that is the least invasive, safest, and promotes fast recovery.
Read more about if robotic surgery is a fit for you. —>>>