MIS is surgery typically performed through small incisions rather than large ones, resulting in potentially shorter recovery times, fewer complications and reduced hospitalization costs.
In traditional minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon operates using rigid, hand-operated instruments, which are passed through small incisions and view the anatomy on a standard two-dimensional video monitor. The instruments are not wristed, only allowing surgeons to open and close the tips of their instruments. Because of the limitations of the instruments and visualization, it makes complex procedures very difficult to complete in a minimally invasive fashion.
What are the benefits of da Vinci® Surgery compared with traditional methods of surgery?
Some of the benefits for surgeons using the da Vinci Surgical System include greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access. Benefits to the patient may include 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.
da Vinci Surgery is categorized as robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, so any insurance that covers minimally invasive surgery generally covers da Vinci Surgery. This is true for widely held insurance plans like Medicare. It is important to note that your coverage will depend on your plan and benefits package.
The da Vinci Surgical System is designed to provide surgeons with enhanced capabilities, including high-definition 3D vision and a magnified view. The doctor controls the da Vinci System, which translates his/her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside your body. Though it is often called a "robot," da Vinci cannot act on its own; instead, the surgery is performed entirely by your doctor.
What procedures are performed using the da Vinci Surgical System?
At Memorial Medical Center, highly-skilled physicians use the da Vinci Surgical System to assist with complex urologic, gynecologic and colorectal procedures.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the da Vinci Surgical System for a wide range of procedures.
No. The surgeon is absolutely necessary. The robot can only be controlled by the surgeon and does not operate on its own. The da Vinci System only enables the surgeons to be more precise, advancing their technique and enhancing their ability to perform complex minimally invasive surgery.