da Vinci^® XI Surgical System at South County Hospital

South County Hospital is home to the da Vinci® Xi™ Surgical System, the most advanced minimally invasive option for a variety of surgical treatments. The expert surgeons on South County Health's medical staff who are trained on da Vinci have performed over 2,000 procedures to date using the technology.

Medical Conditions treated with da Vinci

The da Vinci Xi Surgical System at South County Hospital is used to perform surgery for a variety of medical conditions including:

• gynecological conditions
• prostate cancer
• gall bladder disease/cancer
• kidney disease/cancer
• urinary obstruction
• bladder cancer
• hernia repair
• colon cancer
• rectal repair

How can da Vinci help me?

The da Vinci system assists surgeons using minimally invasive techniques. With da Vinci, surgeons can perform procedures through smaller incisions in the skin than those made using open surgical techniques. Studies of patients who received surgery using the da Vinci system report the following benefits in comparison to open surgery:

• A shorter hospital stay
• Less pain and less blood loss
• Fewer complications; less risk of infection
• Less need for narcotic pain medicine
• A faster recovery; faster return to normal activities
• Smaller incisions associated with minimal scarring

How da Vinci works

The Xi system has more capabilities than previous da Vinci models and is optimized for complex procedures. It enables surgeons to perform operations through a few small incisions with:

• Magnified vision system that gives surgeons a 3D High Definition view inside the patient’s body
• Ergonomically designed console where the surgeon sits while operating
• Wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand
• Smaller, thinner arms with newly designed joints that offer a greater range of motion than ever before

Seated at an ergonomically-designed console, the surgeon controls the robotic arms, instruments and camera, making tiny incisions in the skin to allow miniaturized instruments and a high-definition camera inside the patient. Once inserted, the high-definition 3D camera provides the surgeon with a close-up view of areas not visible during "open" surgery.

The surgeon’s hand, wrist, and finger movements translate into precise movements of the instruments positioned inside the patient. These tiny, wristed instruments bend and rotate far greater than the human hand, giving the surgeon enhanced precision and control. The System cannot be programmed or act in any way without the surgeon’s input and presence.

Is da Vinci right for me?

If your doctor recommends surgery, learn about your surgical options to help you make the best decision for your situation and put you at ease. Talk to your surgeon about your options and concerns.