The most sophisticated da Vinci™ surgical robot has made its debut at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital.
The Xi robot allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery for even the most complicated scenarios. The four mechanical arms allow a surgeon to make very small and precise incisions from a control station near the operating table. The arms use instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. Also, the 3D visualizations present very clear and very detailed images of the surgical site as the surgeon maneuvers.
For patients, this technology means a lower chance of needing an ‘open procedure’, minimal scarring and a faster recovery.
Ann Paffel in surgical services has been working with the da Vinci™ series since the first robot was introduced at Sacred Heart in 2006. She says since then more than 2,900 procedures have been performed; that’s more than 200 robotic surgeries each year.
“It has been amazing to see first-hand how technology advances,” said Paffel. “It’s a great experience to work with this cutting edge equipment while also using human hands to assist the robot every step of the way during surgery.”
The enhanced da Vinci™ Xi robot was delivered in October and the first surgery was successfully done in December of 2019, after nearly two months of enhanced training by colleagues in multiple departments. The da Vinci™ Xi robot is used for many types of surgeries. For more information, visit www.sacredhearteauclaire.org/Medical-Services/Robotic-Surgery/Robotic-Surgery-Options.