Baptist offers state of the art robotic surgery

Photo courtesy of Baptist Hospital The da Vinci(r) S HD Surgical System typically offers patients reduced pain, less blood loss and minimal scarring as well as shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times and earlier return to normal activities.

On May 25, Baptist Hospital became the first hospital in northwest Florida to acquire a surgical robotic system to offer patients unparalleled benefits.

The Technology

The da Vinci(r) S HD Surgical System is redefining minimally invasive surgery. This technology offers patients reduced pain, less blood loss and minimal scarring as well as shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times and earlier return to normal activities. By providing surgeons with more precise control and greater access to hard-to-reach areas, extremely complex operations can be performed through thimble size incisions.

"Baptist Health Care is proud to be the first health care system in the region to offer this unique and powerful technology to significantly improve patient care," states Mark Faulkner, administrator, Baptist Hospital. "These proven technologies will provide us with the opportunity to take patient care to the next level."

The $1.5 million investment consists of three main parts: the surgeon's console, which includes a video screen, hand controls and foot pedals; the laparoscopic tower; and a separate bedside cart that is equipped with four arms. One arm is a camera and three are instruments. High definition cameras provide three-dimensional views of the surgical area plus magnified views for greater clarity. What also makes this system so special is that it can translate the surgeon's motions into tiny, precise movements, correcting for any tremors or unintentional hand motions.

The Surgery

Initially, Baptist Hospital doctors will use the da Vinci robotic system for prostate surgeries. The prostate, a walnut size gland located below a man's bladder, is surrounded by nerves and muscles that affect urinary, rectal and sexual function. Great care and precision are necessary to remove the prostate gland without damaging surrounding structures.

Traditional prostate surgery requires an eight-to-10 inch incision that commonly results in substantial blood loss, a lengthy and uncomfortable recovery, and risk of impotence and incontinence. Robotics allow the same surgery to be performed with unequaled precision, using button-size incisions that allow cameras and instruments to be inserted into the patient's body.

A recent study found that men who had conventional - or "open" - prostate surgery lost five times as much blood, had four times the risk of complications and remained hospitalized three times as long as those who underwent robotic surgery. Patients electing robotic surgery regain urinary function four times faster than open surgery patients. These men also regain sexual function twice as fast as those who have open surgery.

The Commitment

Robotic surgery is redefining the way doctors provide treatment in the operating room. Thanks to this leading-edge technology, minimally invasive techniques can now be used for procedures whose complexity once demanded open surgery. In the near future, Baptist Health Care also will offer robotic surgery for cardiac and gynecological procedures.

"Baptist Health Care is proud to bring robotics to the residents of northwest Florida and south Alabama," adds Faulkner.

Baptist Health Care is a community owned, not-for-profit health care organization committed to improving the quality of life for people and communities in Northwest Florida and South Alabama. Nationally recognized for performance excellence and quality achievement, Baptist has been recognized by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to work for; received the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2003; and has consistently ranked in the 99th percentile for patient satisfaction as recognized by Press Ganey. Baptist Health Care includes four hospitals, two medical parks, Baptist Manor, Baptist Home Health Care and Durable Medical Equipment, Baptist Leadership Institute, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine and Lakeview Center. With more than 5,000 employees, Baptist Health Care is the largest non-governmental employer in northwest Florida. For more information, please visit www.ebaptisthealthcare.org.