News

Jul 25, 2023

daVinci Xi Robotic

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese has announced the recent acquisition of the daVinci Xi robotic-assisted surgical system. The system is designed with the goal of further advancing the technology

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese has announced the recent acquisition of the daVinci Xi robotic-assisted surgical system. The system is designed with the goal of further advancing the technology used in minimally invasive surgery.

It will be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures at St. Joseph’s Hospital by trained surgeons for laparoscopic general and gynecological surgery.

Patients benefit from surgery conducted using the da Vinci Xi surgical system in the following ways:

· Surgery is minimally invasive, with reduced scarring.

· Shorter hospital stays.

· Quicker recovery.

· Less pain medication is often needed.

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital’s President and CEO Aaron Puchbauer says they are proud to bring the advanced technologies of the da Vinci Xi surgical system to the hospital, offering state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgeries to their patients close to home. He adds it is a great tool to attract surgeons to the area as robotic techniques are taught in medical school and new surgeons are often eager to work in hospitals with the most advanced robotic technologies, which benefits the region overall.

Contrary to widespread belief, the da Vinci system is not a “robot” that performs surgery robotically itself. The surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted da Vinci system.

The surgeon performs surgery with da Vinci by using instruments that he or she guides via a console. The system translates the surgeon’s hand movements at the console in real-time, bending and rotating the instruments while performing the procedure. The tiny wristed instruments move like a human hand but with a greater range of motion. The da Vinci vision system also delivers highly magnified, 3D high-definition views of the surgical area. The instrument size makes it possible for surgeons to operate through one or a few small incisions. In total, the da Vinci system is a technological extension of a surgeon’s hands and eyes, enabling them to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity, and control.

“At HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese, the highly skilled surgeons on our medical staff put the patient at the center of everything they do,” said Dr. Dennis Szurkus Jr., chief medical officer at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “The surgeons utilize the most advanced surgical technology, including the Intuitive da Vinci surgical system to accomplish safe minimally invasive surgery. This approach allows the patient to return to family activities and an active lifestyle as soon as possible.”

Dr. Deirdre Knobeloch has been previously trained and has performed many gynecological procedures with the da Vinci robot at other locations but will now be using this technology at St. Joseph’s in Breese. Additionally, hospital surgical services colleagues and local surgeons are well-trained on using this innovative technology. Dr. Ulunna MacBean, HSHS Medical Group general surgeon, recently went through training and shared, “I’m grateful the hospital is investing in the latest technology to offer robotic-assisted surgery close to home. I look forward to offering robotic-assisted minimally invasive procedures to my patients in the Breese area.”

For more information on minimally invasive surgical options at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese, visit stjoebreese.com or talk to your surgeon.