When a loved one needs surgery to treat colon or rectal cancer, they often have one goal: getting back to their regular routine as soon as possible. Today, colorectal surgeons at Grand View Health have the latest tools and technologies at their disposal, bringing faster recoveries and more hope to people throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties.
“Continued advances in robotic-assisted surgery have shortened recovery times and brought many other benefits to people with colorectal cancer,” says board-certified colorectal surgeon Daniel Latta, MD, with Grand View Health Surgery in Sellersville. “Even better, at Grand View Health, we’ve created a comprehensive recovery program that has reduced a patent’s hospital stay after colorectal surgery to just four days, much shorter than the national average of one week.”
What happens during robotic colon cancer surgery?
Traditional open surgeries require a large scar. Robotic-assisted surgery, however, allows physicians to perform complex procedures using just a few tiny, keyhole-sized incisions. While it’s called “robotic surgery,” your surgeon remains in total control throughout the entire procedure.
At Grand View Health, Dr. Latta and his team use the da Vinci XI Robotic Surgical System™ to perform many colorectal procedures. Grand View is the only hospital in upper Bucks County using the da Vinci robot. The state-of-the-art system includes a high-definition 3D camera, giving surgeons full visibility of colorectal tumors and the surrounding tissue.
During the surgery, Dr. Latta sits at a special console, guiding the camera and several small robotic arms. The arms mimic Dr. Latta’s hand, wrist and finger movements, allowing him to perform the surgery with precision.
Benefits of robotic-assisted colorectal surgery vs. open surgery include:
- Smaller scars and fewer drains after surgery, promoting faster healing
- Less time under anesthesia
- Less pain after surgery
- Less blood loss
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster return to daily life
Creating a comprehensive recovery plan
Robotic-assisted surgery is just one of the many ways caregivers at Grand View Health help colorectal cancer patients feel better faster. The hospital team also provides a comprehensive recovery plan called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).
The ERAS process includes thorough pre-surgery education, offering patients guidance on how to best nourish their bodies before surgery and tips on how to engage in their own care. Then, after surgery, the hospital care team encourages patients to begin walking as soon as possible. Caregivers also use the latest pain relief methods, minimizing patients’ discomfort while using the fewest narcotics possible.
“It takes an entire team to guide patients through a fast and safe recovery from colorectal cancer surgery,” Dr. Latta says. “At Grand View Health, patients receive support from a team of experts in surgery, medicine, anesthesia, nursing, physical therapy, pharmacy and pre-admission testing, all focused on delivering the best hospital experience possible.”
Finding the way back to health — faster and safer
A colorectal cancer diagnosis creates a cascade of emotions among patients and their family members. By providing the highest quality care nearby, the Grand View Health Cancer Program helps people and families reduce stress and return to normal faster.
See how Dr. Latta and his team helped a 44-year-old Pottstown woman defeat Stage 3 colorectal cancer, and learn more about colorectal surgery at Grand View Health.