SMH has made robotic assisted surgery an option for patients requiring certain procedures 

In many sci-fi media, robots perform a vast array of tasks, food preparation, police-work, comedic relief and medical procedures. 

According to the Surgical Clinic, the first records of robotic surgery, performed in the real world, happened in the 1980s. Specifically, the first surgical robot, PUMA 560, was used in a brain biopsy procedure. The procedure took place in 1985 as robotics started to be implemented to reduce movement due to hand tremors.

In 1988, the PROBOT, developed at the Imperial College London, was used to make several repetitive incisions during a transurethral prostate surgery.

Fast forward to the 2010s, and the da Vinci Surgical System has become the most prevalent robotic surgery device in use. One of the most notable milestones occurred in August 2010 when Edward Hospital used the da Vinci Surgical System to peel the skin off of a grape. A video of the procedure quickly made rounds on the internet. But, it was evidence that delicate, intricate procedures could now be performed with the assistance of a robot. 

Sheridan Memorial Hospital owns a da Vinci Surgical System and uses the robot as another tool to help perform complex surgical procedures.  

Sheridan Memorial Hospital Chief Ambulatory Officer Holly Zajic and Surgeon from Big Horn Surgical, Dr. Joshua Scott, made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program to talk about the da Vinci Surgical System. 

Zajic told listeners that not only was the purchase of this expensive robot worth the money in regards to best possible care given through technological advancement, but it also serves as a recruiting tool while attracting some of the brightest minds in the surgical field and offers new techniques and tools to the surgeons that already serve Sheridan. 

Sheridan native, Dr. Scott, has trained on and utilizes the da Vinci Surgical System. He sees the robot as another tool that can be employed as one option to find the best solution for patients facing certain surgical procedures. Dr. Scott reassured listeners that the robot is only a tool which allows for precision. The da Vinci Surgical System does not utilize any kind of artificial intelligence. 

As an advanced form of laparoscopy, the use of the da Vinci Surgical System offers many benefits, such as minimal intrusion- meaning less pain, shorter hospital stays, reduced recovery times and greatly reduces scarring. 

Although this advanced system can be used in a wide array of procedures, it’s not a magic bullet for all patients with surgical needs. Currently, the procedures that the surgical team employs the robot for most commonly include hernia repair, gallbladder removal, prostate biopsy and removal, ovary removal, hysterectomy and endometriosis. 

Although they have been assisting surgeons since the mid-80s, the future holds promise for robotics to assist surgeons. As for now, Dr. Scott is happy to have the use of the da Vinci Surgical System as another tool in his box to help him save and improve the lives of patients.

To learn more about robotic assisted surgery options from Sheridan Memorial Hospital, click here.