The Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center has recently had the robotic surgical system delivered to the medical center who just celebrated their first year anniversary of its new hospital facility operations in our area.
The Da Vinci system is a robotic surgical system made by the American company Intuitive Surgical. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000 for production. It has been in use for almost 20 years, and has improved its technology to enhance patient surgical health care throughout the health care industry. It was designed to facilitate complex surgery by using a minimally invasive approach, and is controlled by a professional trained surgeon from a console.
“Our surgeons and team members have been training to prepare for the robotic surgeries that will start in mid October,” said Doctor Walls, Mint Hill OB/GYN, who will be the first surgeon to use the robot. Doctors Chandler and Hyatt who are also with Mint Hill OB/GYN have been trained in the use of the robotic system. Other surgeons have been trained including Doctors James, Nowak and Holl all from Surgical Specialists on the robotic surgical system.
The Da Vinci robotic surgeons operate through a few small incisions, very similar to traditional laparoscopy surgery procedures. The surgical system has a magnified 3D, HD vision system allowing the surgeons better visualization during surgery. The instruments bend and rotate far greater than the human hand to assist surgeons during a procedure. Overall, the robotic system enables surgeons to operate with enhanced vision, precision and better control during a complex surgical procedure providing the opportunity for a potentially more favorable outcome for the patient involved.
When compared to traditional laparoscopic procedures over the past 19 years, robotic enhanced surgery has lower complication rates, patients experience shorter hospital stays, have less blood loss and reduces chance of transfusion, including lower conversion rates when compared to open surgery which cuts cost and improves surgical outcome.
Finally, when compared to open surgical procedures, all the above mentioned enhancement benefits would be applicable including lower hospital re-admission rates. Therefore, providing another alternative option available to surgeons and their patients using the most advanced technology available.
If interested, the Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center will be inviting the community to join them on Wednesday, October 30th between noon-6:00 p.m. in their lobby to view the robotic system on display. Visitors will actually be able to put their hands into the robot and use the simulator to experience what it feels like to perform a surgery.
