GW Hospital First to Perform Robotic Colectomy in DC

Beginning with robotic prostatectomy in 2004, the da Vinci Surgical System (commonly known as "the robot") has assisted in hundreds of prostate, kidney, cardiothoracic and gynecologic surgeries at the George Washington University Hospital.

Most recently, Vincent Obias, MD, Division Director, Colon & Rectal Surgery, began performing robotic colectomies—the first surgeon to do so in the District. During a colectomy, the surgeon removes cancerous portions of the colon and rectum, as well as benign tumors and polyps.

"Robotic surgery allows the surgeon to do complex rectal cancer surgery which, in the past, has been extremely difficult to do in a minimally invasive manner," said Dr. Obias. "The robot improves visualization, manipulation and dissection of tissue, and we are very excited that we are the first hospital in the DC-area providing this to our patients."

The robotic procedure allows Dr. Obias to finely dissect out cancers of the rectum while possibly avoiding nerve injury. And a recent study has shown that surgeries using the robot are less likely to convert to an open procedure than colorectal procedures performed laparoscopically.

For a referral to a colorectal surgeon at GW Hospital call 1-888-4GW-DOCS or select "Find a doctor" from the sidebar.