Best Health • Winter 2023 3 What to know about robotic surgery Your surgeon has a powerful tool in the operating room: a robotic surgery system called da Vinci. The da Vinci Surgical System is widely used. According to Intuitive Surgical, the company that developed da Vinci, more than 12 million robotic surgeries have been performed around the world with da Vinci. Robotic surgery (also known as robot-assisted surgery) can be used for many procedures, from gallbladder removal to hysterectomies. During robotic surgery, the surgeon sits and controls robotic arms, which hold tiny instruments. The arms are quite flexible and can make very small, precise movements. Advantages of robotic surgery Robotic surgery can offer you and your surgeon many benefits. One is that it is minimally invasive. This means smaller cuts are made than with traditional surgery. After surgery, you may have: ♦ A quicker recovery. ♦ Less pain and bleeding. ♦ A reduced risk of infection. ♦ Smaller scars. For your surgeon, robotic assistance makes it easier to perform some types of procedures. Your surgeon can see the surgery area more easily and with 3D views. Sources: American College of Surgeons; Intuitive; National Institutes of Health; UpToDate; U.S. Food and Drug Administration Learn more about NMRMC Surgery Clinic at nmrmc.com. Dr. Matthew Leroy, board-certified general surgeon with NMRMC Surgery Clinic
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