Conway Regional now offering da Vinci® surgical system to physicians, patients
Conway Regional Health System has acquired the highly-acclaimed da Vinci® S HD Surgical System.
“This is the latest enhancement to our minimally invasive surgery program. It is part of our ongoing effort to bring the most advanced tools and technology for physicians and patients,” said Jim Lambert, President and CEO of Conway Regional.
The main advantage of the $1.8 million system for patients is that it enables their surgeons to perform certain procedures, such as hysterectomies, prostate operations and some heart procedures, using robotic extensions to operate by creating much smaller incisions rather than the traditional, larger incisions. Operating through smaller incisions is generally believed to reduce complications, hospital stays and recovery time for patients.
The da Vinci® System integrates 3D HD endoscopy and state-of-the-art robotic technology to virtually extend the surgeon’s eyes and hands into the surgical field offering unparalleled 3D HD visualization. The system provides surgeons greater than twice the viewing resolution and 20 percent more viewing area. This means improved clarity and detail of tissue planes and anatomy, which is critical when performing delicate dissection or in reconstructive procedures.
Another advantage for surgeons is that the system responds to the surgeon’s input without delay. It is also mobile and can easily be moved from one operating room to another.
While the da Vinci® System can be applied to a number of surgical disciplines, Conway Regional will begin with cardiovascular, urological and gynecological surgery. Surgeons will begin training on use of the system this week and a select support team is being formed from the Conway Regional surgical services staff. The first case is expected to be performed by the end of October.
Facts about the da Vinci® Surgical System
The da Vinci® Surgical System is a sophisticated robotic platform designed to enable complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach. The da Vinci® System consists of an ergonomic surgeon’s console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a high-performance 3D HD vision system and proprietary EndoWrist® instruments. Powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology, the da Vinci® System is designed to scale, filter and seamlessly translate the surgeon's hand movements into more precise movements of the EndoWrist instruments. The net result is an intuitive interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities.
The da Vinci® System’s high-resolution 3D stereo viewer is designed to provide surgeons with an immersive experience. Unlike conventional approaches, the target anatomy appears at high magnification, in brilliant color and with natural depth of field. To perform a procedure, the surgeon uses the console’s master controls to maneuver the patient-side cart’s four robotic arms, which securely hold the patented EndoWrist instruments and high-resolution endoscopic camera. The EndoWrist instruments’ jointed-wrist design exceeds the natural range of motion of the human hand; motion scaling and tremor reduction further interpret and refine the surgeon’s hand movements. A final hallmark of the da Vinci® System is its fail-safe design, incorporating multiple, redundant safety features designed to minimize opportunities for human error when compared with traditional approaches.
The da Vinci® System is a remarkable improvement over conventional laparoscopy, in which the surgeon operates while standing, using hand-held, long-shafted instruments, which have no wrists. With conventional laparoscopy, the surgeon must look up and away from the instruments, to a nearby 2D video monitor to see an image of the target anatomy. The surgeon must also rely on his/her patient-side assistant to position the camera correctly. In contrast, the da Vinci® System’s ergonomic design allows the surgeon to operate from a comfortable, seated position at the console, with eyes and hands positioned in line with the instruments. To move the instruments or to reposition the camera, the surgeon simply moves his/her hands.
By providing surgeons with superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, greater precision and ergonomic comfort, the da Vinci® Surgical System makes it possible for more surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures involving complex dissection or reconstruction. This ultimately raises the standard of care for complex surgeries, translating into numerous potential patient benefits.
For the patient, a da Vinci® procedure can offer all the potential benefits of a minimally invasive procedure, including less pain, less blood loss and less need for blood transfusions. Moreover, the da Vinci® System can enable a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery and faster return to normal daily activities.
Clinical studies also suggest that the da Vinci® System may help surgeons provide better clinical outcomes than conventional technologies allow - for example, better cancer control and a lower incidence of impotence and incontinence with da Vinci® Prostatectomy.
