Robotic-Assisted Surgery

da Vinci Robotic Surgical System

In recent years, the advent of minimally invasive surgery has greatly changed the way certain surgeries can be done. In minimally invasive surgery (also known as laparoscopic surgery), the surgeon uses an endoscope, a long, flexible tube with a camera and light attached. The endoscope is inserted into the body through a small incision. An image is sent to a monitor that the surgeon watches during the operation. The surgeon also makes other small incisions to insert the tools necessary to do the procedure.

In general, this approach is less traumatic than traditional open surgery, with smaller incisions, faster recovery and fewer side effects.

da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System 

The da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System takes minimally invasive surgery one step further. The system gives the surgeon improved magnification, precise robotic movements and a three-dimension view of the surgical site, offering unmatched precision for performing a variety of procedures.

The da Vinci® Surgical System is composed of three components:

  • A surgeon console to operate the robot
  • A computerized control system/video tower
  • Four “arms” — one for the camera and three for instruments

To perform surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions to create “ports” near the area selected for surgery. The surgical instruments (attached to the robotic arms) and a camera are placed through the ports. During surgery, the surgeon views a three-dimensional image of the surgical site from the tiny camera placed inside the patient. At the console, the surgeon uses the robot’s arms to control the movement and placement of the surgical instruments. The robot’s “arm and wrist” movements mimic those of the surgeon.

As a type of minimally invasive surgery, robotic-assisted surgery offers many advantages over traditional, open surgery. These include smaller incisions with little scarring, less pain, minimal blood loss, reduced risk for infection, shorter hospital stay and faster return to normal activities.

Specially Trained Surgeons

Because every surgical maneuver is performed with direct input from the surgeon, the robotic system must be operated by a surgeon trained in minimally invasive robotic surgery. Many surgeons on staff at Community Memorial Hospital have received specialized training to perform robotic-assisted surgery.

The following types of robotic-assisted surgeries are performed at Community Memorial Hospital:

Robotic-assisted heart and thoracic surgery

Learn more about robotic-assisted heart and thoracic surgery.

  • Husam Balkhy, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon
  • Curtis Quinn, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon

Robotic-assisted prostate surgery

Learn more about robotic-assisted prostate surgery

  • Jeffrey Bejma, MD, urologist
  • Mark Dykstra, MD, urologist
  • Kevin Gee, MD, urologist
  • Kenneth Jacobsohn, MD, urologist
  • Christopher M. Kearns, MD, urologist
  • Peter Langenstroer, MD, MS, urologist
  • Sameer Sharma, MD, urologist
  • Alex Zacharias, MD, urologist (also performs robotic-assisted kidney surgery)

Robotic-assisted hysterectomy

Learn more about robotic-assisted hysterectomy.

  • Anthony Hoang, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist
  • Henry Kaminski, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist
  • Susan A. Kroener, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist
  • Janet S. Rader, MD, FACOG, obstetrician/gynecologist
  • Anuradha Raman, MD, FACOG, obstetrician/gynecologist, fellow in advanced pelvic surgery
  • Katharine Van Fossen, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist
  • Denise Uyar, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist

Robotic-assisted kidney surgery

  • Jeffrey Bejma, MD, urologist
  • Mark Dykstra, MD, urologist
  • Kevin Gee, MD, urologist
  • Kenneth Jacobsohn, MD, urologist
  • Christopher M. Kearns, MD, urologist
  • Peter Langenstroer, MD, MS, urologist
  • Sameer Sharma, MD, urologist
  • Alex Zacharias, MD, urologist

Robotic-assisted hernia surgery

  • Dean Klinger, MD, general surgeon
  • Mark Timm, MD, FACS, general and vascular surgeon

Robotic-assisted adrenalectomy (adrenal gland removal)

  • Dean Klinger, MD, general surgeon
  • Mark Timm, MD, FACS, general and vascular surgeon

To find out if you are a candidate for robotic-assisted surgery, please call Careconnection at 262-251-1001 or 800-246-8332.