Over the past several decades, an innovative robotic-assisted surgery system, the da Vinci Surgical System, emerged and was designed to improve patient satisfaction and surgical outcomes. This system has aided surgeons in tens of thousands of successful surgeries.
Read on to hear from our group of experts, Michele Malit, DO, Frank Velez, MD, Rachel Raphael, MD, and Huy Hoang, MD, on frequently asked questions regarding the da Vinci system and its impacts on your path to recovery to help you feel empowered on your healing journey.
What is robotic-assisted surgery?
Robotic-assisted surgery was first used in 1985 to perform a brain biopsy, and since then, surgeons worldwide have begun using these robotic systems to assist in their patient care. It’s a way for doctors to provide better patient outcomes and more precise movements a human couldn’t do on their own.
“Robotic-assisted surgery is an evolution of minimally invasive surgery that provides surgeons with better precision and increased success in delivering high-quality care,” says Dr. Velez.
What is the da Vinci robotic surgery system?
Dr. Hoang tells us that “the da Vinci surgical system is a highly sophisticated tool used for minimally invasive surgeries and is designed to improve surgical outcomes by providing smaller incisions and greater precision.” AdventHealth surgeons across West Volusia County use the da Vinci system, allowing them to perform a variety of surgeries.
How does it work?
How it works is quite simple. The robot has mechanical features that simulate hand and wrist movements. “We work behind the system's control panel, where we have complete control over manipulating the robot using joysticks,” says Dr. Velez.
Guided by their capable hands, the hand-like structure offers 360 degrees of movement, allowing the surgeon to maneuver in ways not possible by a human. The panel where the surgeon sits gives them a three-dimensional view of the surgical area, unlike the two-dimensional view of laparoscopic procedures. The surgeon completes the procedure as they normally would with the help of the robotic system.
“With the da Vinci, many surgeries that were once open procedures are now minimally invasive,” says Dr. Raphael. Your surgeon is in complete control of the machine from start to finish.
What types of surgeries can be performed using the da Vinci system?
The da Vinci system can perform a variety of surgeries in various specialties, including:
- General
- Gynecological
- Head and neck
- Pediatric
- Urological
More specifically, it assists with hernia repairs, gallbladder surgeries, bariatric surgeries and the treatment of GERD and kidney disorders, among many others. Dr. Raphael tells us, “The system's versatility and impressive dexterity allow it to aid us in most procedures.”
How does the da Vinci system differ from others?
Dr. Raphael explains, “This da Vinci system is unique because it provides us with a high-quality three-dimensional display of the surgical area, allowing us to look straightforward rather than taking our eyes off the patient to look at a monitor.”
“Unlike other robotic-assisted systems, the da Vinci provides hand-like structures with a greater range of motion for increased precision,” says Dr. Malit. The machine doesn’t make a single move that the surgeon doesn’t make themselves. This is a key feature separating this robotic system from others. The surgeons even use their feet with this machine, controlling the camera’s position and focus. It allows the surgeon to be more immersed in the procedure, leading to higher-quality care.
Your Dedicated Health Partners
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for all of you in body, mind and spirit. We know surgery can be intimidating, but you aren’t alone. Contact Dr. Velez, Dr. Raphael, Dr. Hoang, or Dr. Malit to learn more about the da Vinci system or to schedule an appointment. We’re dedicated to helping you feel whole.
