First Posted: 2/17/2015
LIMA — It looks like an octopus.
Behind it stands a surgeon, gripping controls serving as an extension of their hands — if they had four. Paired with a video monitor, it’s like a really big, powerful interactive video game.
You know it’s not, though. You’re about to have surgery.
Thanks to this machine, it won’t hurt as much, and everything will be more precise compared to old-fashioned procedures. You won’t be in the hospital as long, have as much pain, lose as much blood, pay for as much medication or have as much scarring. You’ll be back to work and daily life in no time.
That’s the magic of the da Vinci Xi’s technology, said Jo Shough, St. Rita Medical Center’s director of surgery.
Of the 250 surgical robots existing worldwide, five are in Ohio, and Mercy Health System owns two.
“It was our Christmas present,” Shough said, since it was delivered the day after Christmas.
The $1.75 million addition to St. Rita’s robotics team takes the place of its older sister, the da Vinci Si.
Though the Si served the same purpose, the latest edition expands its range of abilities, such as movement, precision, imagery and applicable surgeries, including urology, gynecology, general and cardiothoracic surgeries. Its first surgery was scheduled for last Monday.
Shough said robotic surgery has been around more than 10 years, and St. Rita’s has had the option since 2011, when it received its first Si. Shortly after, the hospital got its second Si. The initiative began when Dr. Craig Nicholson joined the surgical team.
After months of specialized training, the hospital has a team of 15 nurses and 14 surgeons in robotics. Shough said the hospital’s initiative serves as a valuable recruiting tool and in receiving patients, though they do have the option of more traditional surgeries.
There are some cases when insurance hasn’t covered the robotic option. The hospital works hard to make sure patients receive the best care available, which is the hospital’s main motivation.
“We are the visionaries,” Shough said. “If there is something out there relating to technology that’s going to better the community, get patients back to work quicker, provide safe, high-quality outcomes and truly support our mission to improve the health of the people we serve, St. Rita’s has always been at that forefront.”
