St. Elizabeth Regional Health becomes first hospital system in Tippecanoe County to implement robotic surgery

St. Elizabeth Regional Health will begin conducting robotic surgeries with the da Vinci Surgical System, becoming the first in the area to offer robotic minimally invasive surgery.
Local physicians who are trained on the da Vinci Surgical System include Daniel J. Wickert, M.D. and Jon M. Hoversland, M.D., both of Lafayette OB/GYN; Michelle R. Harrison, M.D., Woman’s Clinic; and Joel McCuaig, M.D., of McCuaig, Knutson and Associates. All four physicians are OB/GYNs.

Using the da Vinci Surgical System, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3-D image of the surgical field. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.

Many surgical procedures performed today using standard laparoscopic techniques may be performed more quickly and easily using the da Vinci Surgical System. This is because the da Vinci Surgical System delivers increased clinical capability while maintaining the same "look and feel" of open surgery.

Traditional laparoscopy has never become widely applied outside a limited set of routine procedures. Only a select group of highly skilled surgeons routinely attempt complex procedures using a minimally invasive approach. The da Vinci Surgical System finally allows more surgeons to perform complex procedures using a minimally invasive approach – routinely and with confidence.

A number of procedures that could not be performed using traditional MIS technologies can now be performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. The advanced feature set and extensive EndoWrist instrumentation of the da Vinci Surgical System enable surgeons to perform more procedures through 1 to 2 centimeter incisions.

By enhancing surgical capabilities, the da Vinci Surgical System helps to improve clinical outcomes and redefine standards of care. Patients may experience the following benefits: reduced trauma to the body, reduced blood loss and need for transfusions, less post-operative pain and discomfort, less risk of infection, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and return to normal daily activities, and less scarring and improved cosmesis.

Training on the da Vinci Surgical System takes several weeks. Surgeries that will be done in Lafayette with the da Vinci at this time include hysterectomies and other GYN procedures.
“Having a da Vinci Surgical System is truly a benefit for patients and physicians in the Tippecanoe County area,” said Dr. Wickert. “The closest da Vinci systems we had access to were located at Indianapolis area hospitals. By having one in Lafayette, this will save time and travel for patients and their families, as well as physicians and medical staff who previously traveled to Indianapolis for the surgeries.”

“I am excited to have a da Vinci Surgical System located here in Lafayette,” said Dr. McCuaig. “This is a great opportunity for our patients and physicians. Having done more than 90 surgeries involving the da Vinci, we look forward to training more physicians and surgery staff with this surgical system that delivers results for our patients.”

The da Vinci Surgical System allows physicians better vision, more precision and better dexterity and intuitive motion through the system. The da Vinci Surgical System was installed at Home Hospital on Nov. 23. Following installation, staff from surgery underwent training sessions. In February 2010, the da Vinci will be installed at St. Elizabeth East. Catherine T. Sam, M.D., of the Woman’s Clinic, will undergo training in January.

For more information on the da Vinci Surgical System, please visit www.ste.org/davinci.