Vista Introduces new da Vinci Robotic Surgical System
Some 200,000 men undergo a prostatectomy each year, while one in three women will need a hysterectomy by the time they reach age 60. These are just two of the surgeries that now can be done at Vista Health System using the da Vinci® SiTM Surgical System. Compared to traditional open surgeries, da Vinci offers patients significant benefits, such as smaller incisions, minimal bleeding, shorter hospital stays and faster, less painful recoveries.
The da Vinci® Si™ Surgical System now at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan is the newest generation model on the market. In addition, Vista currently has surgeons who are fully trained, certified and experienced in using the da Vinci. (See listing below.) That number will grow as more Vista surgeons complete the comprehensive da Vinci certification training, and as Vista attracts new surgeons who already are certified.
“We're excited to offer our patients the many advantages of da Vinci robotic surgery in the hands of our highly skilled surgeons,” said Barbara J. Martin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vista Health System. “We've made a major capital investment in this technology because we believe it's the best option for so many of our patients. We want people to become more aware of the benefits of less pain and reduced recovery time. So instead of recuperating for six to eight weeks, they can be back to normal activities dramatically faster.”
The da Vinci offers a wide range of surgical applications. Thanks to its use of robotics, superior magnification and precise instrumentation, Vista surgeons have more control and precision to operate with a less invasive approach. The da Vinci system has four robotic arms – three arms to hold and manipulate high-precision instruments, plus one to hold and position the high-resolution stereo endoscope.
Seated at the da Vinci console, the surgeon views the operative site through magnified, high resolution, 3-D imaging and controls the high precision instruments to perform the surgery. Three or four very small incisions (1-2 cm) are used, compared with a six-inch incision or greater for an open abdominal hysterectomy. The surgeon performs the surgery using a range of instruments, just as he or she would in a traditional surgery. Each instrument is held at the end of a robotic arm, translating and scaling the surgeon's hand movements with complete precision, resulting in superior dexterity and control.
“We're excited to inform our patients about the advantages of da Vinci robotic surgery,” said Vista Surgeon Frank Sun, M.D., GYN. “It gives us a tremendous advantage in offering them an effective, less invasive treatment for their conditions,” he said.
The following is a list of certified Vista surgeons and their specialties who currently are using the da Vinci:
Nejd Alsikafi, M.D., Urology/Gynecology; Raza Khan, M.D., Urology; Sutchin Patel, M.D., Urology; Robert Saffrin, M.D., Urology; Frank Sun, M.D., Gynecology; Martin Weiner, M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology.
For more information on the da Vinci Surgical System at Vista, visit www.VistaHealth/daVinci, or call Vista at 847-360-3000.
Vista Health System is a network of two hospitals, Vista Medical Center East and Vista Medical Center West; a stand-alone same day surgery and treatment center; and several locations for imaging and patient therapy. Though the names have changed, Vista East has served the community since 1891 and Vista West since 1929, more than 200 combined years. To learn more about Vista and its plans for the future of health care in Lake County, visit www.VistaHealth.com.