Saint Thomas Health
Re-writing the Standards for Surgical Care through the use of Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery at Saint Thomas Hospital is a less-invasive surgical approach that incorporates the latest advancements in robotic-assisted technology and allows a surgeon greater visualization, enhanced dexterity, precision and control.
A variety of conditions that can be treated utilizing robotic surgery at Saint Thomas Hospital include:
• Coronary artery disease, which occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become hard and narrow because of cholesterol or plaque build-up in the inners walls of the arteries.
• Mitral valve prolapse, a condition when one or both of the flaps that are supposed to open and close to control blood flow to the heart do not work properly and allows small amounts of blood to flow backwards into the heart valve.
• Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
• Urologic cancers, including prostate, bladder and kidney and other urologic conditions that affect the male reproductive organs and urinary tract organs.
• Gynecologic conditions, including cervical and uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse and or excessive bleeding.
• Lung cancer, which may require a lobectomy to remove the section of the lung containing the tumor.
• Mediastinal masses, the removal of masses found in the chest cavity including Thymectomies, Lymphoma and pheochromocytoma
Surgical Specialists
Physicians at Saint Thomas Hospital who utilize the da Vinci surgical system, include:
- Dr. James Wudel, thoracic surgeon
- Dr. Benjamin Dehner urologist
- Dr. Harriett Scarpero, urologist
- Dr. Evelio Rodriguez, cardiothoracic surgeon
- Dr. Stephens Dudley, gynecologic oncologist
- Dr. Clinton Marlar, general surgeon.
- Dr. Jonathan Cohen, General Surgeon
How does it work?
Using two small cameras, the system creates a three-dimensional, high-definition view of the operative field. Surgeons work at a kiosk with controls that connect to very small surgical instruments. The kiosk’s controls use Intuitive® motion technology to mimic natural hand and wrist movements, allowing surgeons the same precision they enjoy in traditional open surgeries.