Adventist Medical Center augments surgical practice with newest model of the da Vinci surgical robot

Feb 2 2010

Adventist Medical Center is now home to the newest model of the da Vinci surgical robot. The da Vinci robot enables complex surgeries to be completed using a minimally invasive approach. The approach minimizes the physical and emotional impact of surgery on patients resulting in increased quality outcomes. The Portland, Ore., based hospital is one of few hospitals in the Northwest to use the latest model of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System.

“It allows us to augment Adventist Medical Center’s surgical practice, offering the least invasive surgical option available today and is a tremendous complement to our highly skilled and talented surgeons.”

“The da Vinci robot represents one of the greatest surgical advancements to ever be made available within a hospital setting,” said Dr. Wes Rippey, chief medical officer at Adventist Medical Center. “It allows us to augment Adventist Medical Center’s surgical practice, offering the least invasive surgical option available today and is a tremendous complement to our highly skilled and talented surgeons.”

Some of the major benefits experienced by surgeons using the da Vinci Surgical System over traditional approaches have included greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access. Benefits experienced by patients have included a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss, fewer transfusions, less scarring, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal daily activities.

The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System will transform the way certain procedures are done at Adventist Medical Center. Initially, urology and gynecology services will be the focus of Adventist Health’s da Vinci robot, though the robotic technology has clinical applications for many other surgical specialties in the future.

The surgeon, via a master hand control and magnified view screen system, is able to manipulate various surgical instruments mounted on robotic arms that can fit inside small spaces. Through the high resolution 3-D stereo viewer, anatomy appears at high magnification with a natural depth of field.

The hospital will be educating the public about this state-of-the-art technology. Additionally, local students will be engaged in helping name the da Vinci later this week.