Robotic Surgery
Gwinnett Medical Center – Duluth has brought a vital healthcare tool to the community, one that gives patients a broader range of alternatives to controversial open-surgery procedures. GMC – D’s fellowship-trained and board-certified surgeons are using the da Vinci® Surgical System to assist in minimally invasive procedures.
What is Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)?
MIS is surgery typically performed through small incisions, or operating ports, rather than large incisions, resulting in potentially shorter recovery times, fewer complications, reduced hospitalization costs and reduced trauma to the patient.
What is robotic surgery?
The da Vinci® Surgical System is the newest innovation in minimally invasive surgery. The system is a powerful aid to surgeons—but it does not take their place. It gives surgeons unparalleled surgical accuracy by combining 3-D visualization, high-definition cameras and four robotic arms. As a result, complicated surgeries that were once done with traditional techniques—and the large incisions associated with them—can in most cases now be done with incisions about the size of a dime.
Using the da Vinci® Surgical System, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3-D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.
What are the benefits of the da Vinci® Surgical System compared with traditional methods of surgery?
Some of the major benefits experienced by surgeons using the da Vinci Surgical System over traditional approaches have been greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access. Benefits experienced by patients may include a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss, fewer transfusions, less scarring, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal daily activities.
How is GMC – D using robotic surgery?
GMC – D surgeons use the da Vinci robot for prostatectomy (prostate removal), gynecologic procedures (hysterectomy and laparoscopy) and thoracic surgery.
