Robotic Surgery

Robot-Assisted Surgery Speeds Recovery, Shortens Hospital Stay and Minimizes Risks

With the addition of the da Vinci Surgical Systems® (models S and Si) to our surgical suites at Morton Plant Hospital, we continue to set new standard of care in the surgical treatment of colorectal, prostate and thoracic conditions and cancers, as well as the treatment of uterine cancer and conditions, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

Da Vinci robotic technology enables surgeons to combine their skilled hands and critical judgment with the unprecedented precision and sensitivity of robotic assistance to perform minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. The result is changing and improving the surgical experience for patients. And because our surgeons have performed the most robotic surgeries in the Tampa Bay area, you can rest assured that you are with an experienced team who will work together to help get you on the road to recovery.

Patient Benefits of Robot-Assisted Surgery:

• Minimal blood loss: surgery is performed through small abdominal incisions
• Nerve sparing: the system provides the surgeon with a three-dimensional view of arteries, veins and nerves, and improved dexterity, precision and accuracy
• Fewer complications: including less risk of infection or hernias
• Less pain: decreases reliance on narcotic painkillers to control postoperative discomfort
• Shorter length of stay, recovery time: patients can be ambulatory the day after surgery; discharge typically occurs the same day or the following morning 
• A normal diet: can be resumed immediately following surgery

Patients should keep in mind that conventional laparoscopic surgery - which is also a minimally-invasive technique - remains a valuable option for patients who may not be candidates for robotic surgery.

How Robotic-Assisted Surgery Works

The da Vinci Robotic System has three components:

1. The insight visual system, which produces clear three-dimensional images and magnifies the surgical area ten times larger.
2. Surgical cart, which includes four robotic arms for the surgery.
3. Surgical console, where the surgeon accesses the robotic arms and visual system.

During the operation, the surgeon sits at the surgical console several feet away from the patient. The surgeon looks through the visual system, which acts like a binocular, for a significantly magnified view of the surgical site. Meanwhile, he uses finger controls to move the robotic arms. One of the four arms has a camera to display the internal organs while the other three arms have surgical tools. This specially designed instrumentation provides the surgeon with a complete rotational axis (like your wrist) while performing the surgery. The robotic arms scale, filter and translate the surgeon's movements to make them more precise. This allows for smaller incisions versus large, open abdominal incisions which increase the risk of infection. 

Is a Robot Performing My Surgery?

Robotic-assisted surgery is exactly that: robotic-assisted. The da Vinci Surgical System can not be programmed or make decisions on its own, so it could never replace your surgeon. It can only replicate the movements of the surgeon, which it does in real time, enabling your surgeon to be more precise and enhancing his ability to perform complex, minimally invasive surgery.

For more information about robotic surgery, please call (727) 462-3000.

Morton Plant Hospital
300 Pinellas Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 462-7000
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