Munson Cadillac Hospital held an open house April 10 for members of the hospital’s Foundation Board and Community Healthcare Council to introduce them to the hospital’s most recent addition to their surgical services technology. The da Vinci XI® surgical robot was put into service in early February and nearly 60 robotic surgeries have been performed to date. The da Vinci XI® robot will be used at Cadillac for certain gynecologic, urological, and general surgery procedures.
The da Vinci XI® is a surgical assistant system consisting of three parts:
- The patient cart holds the camera and surgical instruments the surgeon controls from a console
- The surgeon console is the control center where the surgeon sits to perform the operation
- The vision cart manages the communication between all the system components and provides a screen for the care team to view the operation.
The da Vinci XI® system translates every hand movement a surgeon makes in real time to bend and rotate instruments with great precision. Each surgeon is specially trained in using robots and a growing number of residency training programs now include robotics as part of standard training for surgeons. Robotic systems typically come equipped with high-definition, 3D cameras, offering surgeons a magnified and detailed view of the surgical site. This enhanced visualization can be especially beneficial in complex procedures. Robotic arms provide a greater range of motion compared to the human hand, allowing surgeons to access and operate on difficult-to-reach areas more effectively. Some advanced robotic systems offer tactile feedback to surgeons, allowing them to feel the pressure and resistance of tissues during surgery. This can enhance the surgeon's ability to perform delicate maneuvers. Robotic surgery consoles are designed to provide ergonomic comfort for surgeons during lengthy procedures. This can reduce surgeon fatigue and contribute to overall procedural efficiency.
Minimally invasive robotic surgery comes with additional benefits including reduced blood loss during the procedure, quicker recovery time and less scarring due to smaller incisions. “As a surgeon, embracing robotic-assisted surgery is like unlocking a new dimension in precision and control. The da Vinci XI system allows me to navigate the intricate pathways of the human body with unparalleled accuracy, enhancing my ability to provide optimal patient outcomes,” said Diana Curran, MD, Munson Healthcare Cadillac OB/GYN.
So far, four local providers are performing procedures with the da Vinci XI®: Dr. Diana Curran and Dr. Mackenzie Tremp, Cadillac OB/GYN; Dr. Kent Bowden, Cadillac Surgical Care and Jack Zuckerman, Cadillac Urology. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about transforming the way we approach surgery and setting a new standard for excellence in patient care,” noted Kent Bowden, DO, FACOS, Cadillac Surgical Care.
The $2 million investment in Cadillac’s first robot was made possible entirely through the generosity of the Harvey Pell donation with special thanks to the Mercy Hospital Cadillac Foundation Board of Directors for their gracious agreement to approve the use of the funds for this purpose.