Latest in robotic surgery comes to Vista Medical Center East
The latest model da Vinci Xi surgical robot is now in service at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, following its successful launch with two procedures last month.
The first was a recurrent inguinal hernia performed by Dr. Aaron Siegel, general surgeon, on a 50-year-old male patient. The second by Dr. Raza Khan, urology, was a prostatectomy assisted by Dr. Sutchin Patel, urology.
The da Vinci Xi is the latest and most advanced surgical robotic system in the world and was delivered at the end of June to Vista Medical Center East, 1324 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Vista held an open house for the public to see the da Vinci Xi in mid-July.
Patients benefit from minimally invasive procedures that are performed robotically because the incisions to the affected areas are especially small. This typically results in lower blood loss, less scarring and faster recovery times compared to conventional surgery.
The da Vinci Surgical System uses four robotic surgical arms, including one holding a 3-D HD camera, that are placed directly above the exact area of the patient to be operated on. Meanwhile, the surgeon sits at a console a few feet away to completely control the procedure. Using just a few small incisions, the robot allows the surgeon to see the affected area through superior video imaging while using tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand.
Dr. Siegel pointed out some of the major enhancements to the new Xi, particularly the computer-controlled coordinated motion between the robot and the bed that allows surgeons to do real-time patient positioning for retraction.
"The table moves with the robot, so we don't need to reposition the patient in the middle of the case, which is great," he said.
Other major advantages of the Xi are related to the system's improved vision for surgeons at the console. The optics are now mounted at the tip of the scope to put the camera inside the patient and provide magnified vision to give the surgeon better depth perception.
"The camera is beautiful," said Dr. Siegel. "It's lighter, and we can move it from port to port. It also has Firefly Fluorescence Imaging, which allows us to see vessels and other structures in the abdomen. Plus, we now can flip the camera and turn the rotation of the camera from the console."
Many more procedures are already being performed and scheduled for the da Vinci Xi at Vista Medical Center East. People should consult with their family physician to learn if robotic surgery is a good option for them. They also can learn more about this new technology by visiting VistaHealth.com.