FLORENCE-North Alabama Medical Center held a hands-on demonstration of the latest da Vinci robotic technology for the community on Thursday, July 20 from noon to 5 p.m. in the main lobby of the hospital.
Several NAMC surgeons, who frequently use the robotic technology were on hand to demonstrate the machine and answer questions. The public was invited to experience the new technology by working the robot from a test console in surgery simulations and other fun exercises.
“I use the da Vinci robot mainly for hysterectomies,” said Jack Zackey, DO, who has performed more than 100 da Vinci surgeries. “I find it very useful for the clarity and dexterity I get working in the pelvis. Typically, I find it very valuable for working with endometriosis or other difficult surgeries.”
North Alabama Medical Center currently has two da Vinci robots in use. The hospital has performed more than 2,200 robotic surgeries since 2013. Robotic surgery, also called robot-assisted surgery, allows doctors to perform many types of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques. Robotic surgery is usually associated with minimally invasive surgery — procedures performed through tiny incisions. It is also sometimes used in certain traditional open surgical procedures.
“North Alabama Medical Center is proud to support our talented surgeons and OR support team,” said NAMC CEO Russell Pigg. “This hospital continues to serve our community by offering tertiary services such as robotic surgery.”
During a da Vinci procedure, the surgeon is 100 percent in control of the da Vinci System. Seated at the surgeon console in the same room with the patient, the surgeon manipulates the EndoWrist® instruments in real time through small incisions in the patient’s body. This enables the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, dexterity and precision.
Potential Patient Benefits of da Vinci surgery vs. open surgery include shorter hospital stays, less blood loss, fewer complications, less need for narcotic pain medicine, faster recovery times and smaller incisions associated with minimal scarring.
Media Release/Shane Herrmann/Director, Communications & Marketing/NAMC and NAMC Shoals
