Robotic Surgery
 
The Center for Robotic Surgery at The George Washington University Hospital offers patients a new alternative to traditional open surgical procedures and conventional laparoscopic surgery with da Vinci Robotic Surgery. Physicians at The George Washington University Hospital are using the da Vinci Surgical System for a variety of procedures including:

• Prostatectomy (removal of the prostate)
• Thoracic Surgery
• Nephrectomy/Partial Nephrectomy
• Pyeloplasty

The da Vinci™ Surgical System
 
The da Vinci Surgical System incorporates the latest advances in robotics and computer technology to provide surgeons with a sophisticated new tool in the operating room.

By integrating robotic technology with the surgeon’s skill, the da Vinci System enables surgeons to perform precise minimally invasive surgeries in a manner never before experienced, to enhance healing and promote well-being.
 
More Precise Surgery
 
Minimally invasive surgical procedures allows surgeons to operate through small ports rather than large incisions, resulting in shorter recovery times, fewer complications and reduced hospitalization costs.

The da Vinci system has been widely adopted for certain surgical procedures, but has not yet been widely adopted for complex procedures*. Rather, the system increases the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques in complex procedures.

The benefits to the patient may include:

• Reduced pain and trauma to the body
• Less blood loss and need for transfusions
• Less post-operative pain and discomfort
• Less risk of infection
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery and return to work
• Less scarring and improved cosmetics
• A more precise surgery 

This diagram illustrates how the da Vinci system is set up in the operating room.
 
The da Vinci Surgical System consists of three components, the InSite™ Vision System, a Surgical Cart and a Surgeon Console.

The InSite Vision System provides the surgeon with a true minimally invasive 3-D view of the surgical field including depth of field, magnification and high resolution. With its 3-D view, the da Vinci System aids the surgeon in more easily identifying vital anatomy such as the delicate nerves and blood vessels surrounding specific anatomy.

The Surgical Cart includes the EndoWrist™ Instruments and four robotic arms whereby the laparoscope and three EndoWrist Instruments are inserted. The EndoWrist Instruments are designed to mimic the movement of the human hands, wrists and fingers. The extensive range of motion allows precision that is not available in standard minimally invasive procedures.

The Surgeon Console is set away from the actual operating table and contains the master controls that the surgeon uses to operate. The handles translate the surgeon’s natural hand and wrist movements into corresponding, precise and scaled movements.

The EndoWrist Instruments are only able to move when commanded by the surgeon. The EndoWrist Instruments provide the surgeon with the dexterity not available using conventional laparoscopic instruments to perform a delicate and precise surgical dissection, reconstruction or removal of specific tissue.

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The da Vinci Surgical System was the first operative surgical robot deemed safe and effective by the United States Food and Drug Administration for actually performing surgery. Specific cardiac applications of the da Vinci Surgical System have not been cleared by the FDA for use in the United States.

All photos courtesy of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. For more information on the daVinci Surgical System, please see Intuitive Surgical.