What is minimally invasive surgery?

Robotic-assisted surgery is a technological advancement in minimally invasive surgery. Compared to an invasive surgery which is open, a minimally invasive surgery is an operation with small incisions. Small tools are placed inside the body via the small incisions. A small camera is used by the surgical team to view the surgical site on a monitor. Minimally invasive surgery is also called laparoscopic.

Both robotic and laparoscopic procedures are available at Grand View Health.

Advantages to minimally invasive surgery:

• Less time in the hospital
• Decreased blood loss
• Shorter recovery time and return to regular activities
• Smaller incisions/surgical openings
• Decreased pain and less use of pain medications

While both techniques may offer a quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgery, your doctor will recommend the best technique for your procedure.

What is da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgery?

Grand View Health offers robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci®XI™ system from Intuitiv.

The da Vinci® Surgical System was first introduced in 1999 as a robotic tool that enables surgeons to perform complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach.

The da Vinci instruments have small mechanical wrists that bend and rotate, imitating the movements of the human wrist. Surgeons have a better view of the surgical site and greater ability to access hard to reach places.

What are the benefits of da Vinci robotic surgery?

• Complex or delicate procedures are generally performed with greater precision, flexibility, and control.
• Robotic surgery is typically associated with less blood loss and less post-surgical pain.
• Robotic surgery patients are less likely to need medication to manage post-operative pain.
• Recovery and return to regular activity is typically faster.
• Incisions, and therefore scars, are smaller and often less noticeable.
• Patients undergoing robotic procedure(s) typically experience shorter hospital stays.

Robotic surgery can be performed for the following types of cases:

• Bariatric weight loss surgery
• Hernia repair
• Colorectal procedures
• Urogynecologic procedures
• General surgery, including the removal of appendix, gallbladder
• Urological, such as prostates
• Gynecologic, such as hysterectomies