da Vinci® Robotic Surgery

What is the da Vinci Surgical System?

The da Vinci robotic surgical system provides extremely high-definition imaging that can be magnified and enhanced to allow the surgeon to perform procedures with unmatched precision and control. While seated at an adjustable console in the operating room, the surgeon performs the surgery by controlling three robotic arms that can be turned through a full range of motion to reach behind and around tissue and nerves.

What are the benefits of having a da Vinci procedure?

Robotic surgery can offer numerous potential benefits over traditional approaches, which often involve making a large abdominal incision. Potential benefits include:

Less pain during recovery
Less blood loss
Fewer complications
A lower risk of infection
Less scarring
A shorter hospital stay
A faster return to normal daily activities
Fewer hospital readmissions

What procedures are we performing with the da Vinci?

Our board-certified physicians and surgical teams who perform robotic procedures have received extensive training on the da Vinci system. At Southeast Georgia Health System, robotic surgery can be used to treat a number of bariatric, general, gynecological and urological surgical conditions.

Bariatric Surgeries

Bariatric patients considering a gastric sleeve may be a candidate for minimally invasive, robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. The procedure involves small incisions instead of a large abdominal incision and therefore is less invasive than traditional bariatric surgery. This method allows patients:

Reduced pain
Decreases length of hospital stay
Improves discharge times for most patients

Our da Vinci credentialed bariatric surgeon includes:

J. William Tsai, M.D., FACS

General Surgeries

The da Vinci is fast becoming the preferred surgical method for a number of general surgeries. At Southeast Georgia Health System, the da Vinci system is being used to correct the following surgical conditions:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, and hiatal hernias
Single site laparoscopic cholecystectomy (surgery through a single entry point to remove gallbladder)
Multi-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (conventional laparoscopic surgery to remove gallbladder)
Laparoscopic appendectomy (surgery to remove appendix)
Colon resection (surgery to remove all or part of the colon/large intestine)
Hernia repairs with mesh (surgical procedure to correct an inguinal hernia that uses mesh instead of stitches)
Lysis of adhesions (surgical removal of scar tissue)

Our da Vinci credentialed general surgeons include:

Gynecological Surgeries

The da Vinci can mean virtually "scarless" results - and a less complex procedure and recovery - for women facing gynecological surgery. The da Vinci allows surgeons to perform a "single-site" hysterectomy (removal of uterus and/or ovaries), which can result in less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and a smaller incision. Our surgeons are using the da Vinci to perform many gynecological surgical conditions, such as:

Heavy uterine bleeding
Hysterectomy
Endometriosis
Ovarian Cystectomy (removal of ovarian cysts and masses)
Sacrocolpopexy (treatment for pelvic organ prolapse)
Treatment of cervical and endometrial cancer
Salpingo‑oopherectomy (surgical removal of a fallopian tube and an ovary)
Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (surgical removal of uterus) with and without salpingo‑oopherectomy
Myomectomy (surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus) with and without salpingo‑oopherectomy
Peritoneal stripping (surgical removal of part of the peritoneum)
Diagnostic laparoscopy (surgical inspection of intra-abdominal organs)

Our da Vinci credentialed gynecologists include:

Urological Surgeries

Using the da Vinci for radical prostatectomies (total removal of the prostate gland) offers patients a number of significant benefits over traditional open surgery. In addition to less blood loss, less risk of infection and a shorter hospital stay, the potential benefits include:

More precise removal of cancerous tissue where cancer is present
Fewer days requiring a catheter
Faster return or erectile function
Faster return of proper urinary function
Less chance of nerve and rectum injury
Faster recovery and return to normal activities

Partial nephrectomy procedures (surgical removal of diseased kidney tissue) are also offered.

Our da Vinci credentialed urologists include:

Andrew C. McGregor, M.D.

How does the da Vinci system work?

From the remote console, just a few feet from the patient, the surgeon sees an image of the surgery site and can operate through tiny incisions. He or she operates with miniature instruments placed on the wrist. As the surgeon moves, two of the da Vinci's arms mimic the human movements. The third arm holds a laparoscopic camera that magnifies the area and allows the surgeon to work on a much smaller scale than is possible with traditional open surgery. While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

Ask your health care provider about da Vinci surgery or visit
www. davincisurgery. com to learn more.

For a referral to one of our physicians specializing in da Vinci Surgical System® procedures, please call 855-ASK-SGHS (855-275-7447).

Healthy Partners Articles

New Robot on the Block

SGHS Healthy Partners, Winter 2021 cover

Healthy Partners, Winter 2022

If you need surgery, Southeast Georgia Health System offers you highly advanced options, including robotic surgery. And now, local access to this state-of-the-art technology is expanding with the acquisition of a new da Vinci® surgical robot. Robotic-assisted surgery allows the surgeon to perform minimally invasive procedures with unmatched precision and control. While seated at an adjustable console in the operating room, the surgeon performs the surgery by controlling the robotic arms that hold surgical instruments. They insert these instruments into incisions much smaller than those used in traditional open surgery.