State-of-the-art robot-assisted surgery is now available at Jersey City Medical Center.
Hudson County patients now have the benefit of minimally invasive advanced robotic surgery at Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), thanks to the new da Vinci Xi Surgical System. "Robotic surgery is the most advanced technological tool currently available for surgical procedures," says Anroy Ottley, MD, Chief of the Robotic Surgery Program at JCMC, who has performed more than 500 robot-assisted surgeries.
What does the new technology mean for the experience of patients who need surgery? Here, Dr. Ottley answers some common questions.
In robotic surgery, does a robot actually perform the surgery?
No, a surgeon guides and performs the procedure. Robotic surgery is performed by attaching the robot, via specialized arms and instruments, to the patient. The surgeon guides the robotic arms by way of a console connected to the robotic arms.
The robot assisted system uses tiny instruments inserted into the patient through a very small incision, sometimes as small as 15 mm [a little more than half an inch], so it is minimally invasive surgery. It allows us to perform large procedures in a small space.
What kinds of procedures can be done using robotic surgery?
Currently the robotic surgery system can be used for most hernia repairs, gallbladder surgery and colorectal surgery. It can be utilized for several urology procedures, including prostatectomy, nephrectomy, adrenalectomy and cystectomy. We also use the robotic system for some gynecological procedures, including hysterectomy and uterine fibroid removal.
What are the benefits to patients?
High-resolution 3-D images show the surgeon what is going on inside the body during the procedure. On the robotic console, images are magnified several times, which reduces the risk of complications. The small incisions made in robotic surgery mean that both scarring and postoperative pain are minimized. At Jersey City Medical Center, 99 percent of my patients receive no narcotic medicines for pain control. Further, patients are able to return to activity sooner, some in as little as 72 hours.
Is robotic surgery only for certain cases, or will it become more widespread?
Currently, nationwide adoption among surgeons is 10 to 15 percent. This number will grow exponentially over the next five to 10 years as the technology improves and barriers to entry are minimized.
I strongly believe that in the near future all surgery will have technological adjuncts. Jersey City Medical Center is strongly committed to providing the most technologically advanced surgical care to all of our patients.
The surgical team at Jersey City Medical Center consists of board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons and a multidisciplinary support team of health care clinicians in the operating suites. For more information on general surgeries, Please call 888.724.7123.