Sebastian River Medical Center to be the First to
Offer Robotic Surgery in Indian River County
It may look like something out of a science fiction movie but the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is just the newest addition to the ever-expanding technology available at Sebastian River Medical Center. The sophisticated robotic platform is designed to enable complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System reduces the patient’s pain, risk of complications, and hospital stay time; and expedites recovery so that patients can return to a normal, healthy life in no time!
The da Vinci system consists of an ergonomic console, a patient-side cart with interactive robotic arms, a 3D HD vision system and proprietary EndoWrist instruments. Powered by state-of-the-art technology, the da Vinci System scales, filters and seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand movements into more precise movements of the EndoWrist instruments. The net result is an intuitive interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities.
One of the first thoughts people have when they think about Robotic surgery is that the robot will be performing the surgery and that the surgeon is not involved. The opposite could not be more true! The beauty of the da Vinci system is that the surgeon is not only required to be right in the operating room but he/she is the one manipulating the robotic arms from a specially designed surgeon console that is right next to the patient. One of the greatest benefits of the da Vinci system is the high-resolution 3D viewer that provides surgeons with an engaging experience. Unlike conventional approaches, the surgical site appears at higher magnification, in brilliant color and with a natural depth of field. It is often compared to watching a TV show on an old TV versus watching it on the new high definition LED screen that shows every image to the greatest detail.
Fast Facts – da Vinci Robotic System
Intuitive Surgical, Inc introduced the da Vinci Surgical System in 1999. Then in 2000 it became the first robotic surgical platform commercially available in the United States to be cleared by the FDA for use in general laparoscopic surgery. Today, there are more than 1,840 da Vinci Systems installed in 1,450 hospitals worldwide. More than 895,000 patients worldwide have had a da Vinci procedure for cardiac, thoracic surgery, urologic, gynecologic, pediatric or general surgery. More women now choose da Vinci surgery for minimally invasive hysterectomies than conventional laparoscopy or vaginal surgery and roughly three out of four prostate cancer surgeries today are performed using da Vinci Systems.
Benefits of Robotics Surgery for both the Surgeon and the Patient Include:
Better View
Magnification is 10 times greater than the human eye allowing surgeons to truly see critical anatomy during surgery.
Better Comfort for the Surgeon
In traditional surgery the surgeon must stand hunched over the patient during surgery, which can cause extreme fatigue by the end of the day. Surgeons say that now they feel refreshed and more energized for each new case.
Improved Outcome and Recovery
Patients often experience a shorter length of stay in the hospital, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss, less scarring, and faster recovery.
“We are excited to be the first hospital in the county to offer this state of the art technology to patients. We anticipate that urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, and general surgery will be the first service lines to utilize the new da Vinci system and anticipate performing our first procedure in August 2011. With the explosive growth of robotics in surgery that list will soon grow to include additional specialties”, states Emily Holliman, CEO of Sebastian River Medical Center.
About Sebastian River Medical Center
Sebastian River Medical Center recently completed a $25 million dollar expansion. It now boasts 154 beds, nearly 600 employees, 240 volunteers, and 120 active physicians on staff. Sebastian River Medical Center has provided award winning patient care in Indian River County for over 40 years, offering patients services such as: Cardiac Rehab, Gynecology, Home Health, Orthopedic Surgery, Rehab Services, Primary Stoke Center, Spine Center of Excellence, Surgical Weight Loss Program, Thoracic Oncology Program, Thoracic Surgery, and Wound Care & Hyperbarics. Sebastian River Medical Center is known for its exceptional Emergency Room experience where patients receive fast, courteous care guaranteed through our ER Extra program.
