Robotic Surgery

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Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses a computer-assisted technology to aid in surgical procedures. Rather than operating on patients through large incisions, surgeons use miniaturized surgical instruments that fit through a series of small incisions to reduce scarring and recovery time.

Merit Health Wesley uses a sophisticated robotic platform designed to enable surgeons on the medical staff to perform complex surgeries using a minimally invasive approach. This robotic-assisted surgical platform provides surgeons on the medical staff with tools that enable enhanced visualization, dexterity and precision, improving surgical outcomes for many patients.

Surgery Information Request

At Merit Health Wesley, surgeons on the medical staff offer more than 15 robotic-assisted surgical procedures including:

• Colorectal surgery
  • Colectomy or colon resection
  • Lower anterior resection
• Gastro and general surgery
• Cholecystectomy
• Heller myotomy
• Inguinal hernia repair
• Ventral hernia repair
• Gynecology
• Endometriosis resection
• Ovarian procedures
• Hysterectomy
• Associated gynecological procedures
• Tubal reanastomosis
• Knee surgery
• Spine surgery
• Urology
• Prostatectomy
• Subtotal prostatectomy
• Pyelopasty
• Nephrectomy

How Robotic Surgery Works

While seated at a special viewing and control console, the surgeon controls a robotic arm to perform delicate surgical procedures inside the patient. The system allows the surgeon to work more intricately and visualize the surgical site in great detail.

Instead of using a traditional incision to open the surgical site, surgeons using robotic-assisted surgical system need only make small incisions into which they guide three thin, stainless steel probes guided by robotic arms. One probe is fitted with a camera that shows the surgeon an enhanced view of the operation through the viewing console. The other two hold the delicate surgical instruments the surgeon uses to perform the procedure, using precision controls that move in synchronization with the surgeon's movements.

Benefits

• Medical staff surgeons using the robotic system to perform surgery generally experience greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access.
• Because robotic surgical procedures usually require smaller incisions than traditional surgery, the risks of infections and complications are usually reduced.
• Since the patient is likely to have less pain, bleeding and scarring than with traditional, open incision surgeries, hospital stay and recovery time are typically much shorter, allowing a quicker return to normal activities.

 

Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks and benefits of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation.