The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System
The da Vinci System is a sophisticated surgical platform designed to facilitate complex procedures using a minimally invasive approach. Da Vinci provides surgeons with advanced capabilities, including high-definition 3D vision with a magnified view, and proprietary Endowrist instruments that translate the surgeons hand movements into smaller, more precise control of instruments inside the body. The system consists of a surgeon’s console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a 3D HD vision system, and Endowrist instruments.
Many people incorrectly think that the robot performs the surgery. Contrary to this belief, the surgeon is in complete control of the robot at all times. The robot has no autonomous control. The surgeon sits near the patient at a console where he/she controls the robotic arms and the Endowrist instruments.
The da Vinci System is a remarkable improvement over conventional laparoscopy, in which the surgeon operates while standing using hand-held, long-shafted instruments which have no wrists. With conventional laparoscopy, the surgeon must look up and away from the instruments, to a nearby 2D video monitor to see an image of the target anatomy. The surgeon must also rely on his/her patient-side assistant to position the camera correctly. In contrast, the da Vinci System’s ergonomic design allows the surgeon to operate from a comfortable, seated position at the console, with eyes and hands positioned in line with the instruments. To move the instruments or to reposition the camera, the surgeon simply moves his/her hands and feet.
By providing surgeons with superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, greater precision, and ergonomic comfort, the da Vinci Surgical System makes it possible for well trained surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures involving complex dissection or reconstruction. This ultimately raises the standard of care for complex surgeries, translating into numerous potential patient benefits.
Not every patient or every condition is amenable to robotic surgery, and in some cases, a more traditional approach may be best.
Since 2005, the robotic surgeons at CUC have performed more than 1000 advanced robotic urologic surgeries including radical and simple prostatectomy, clamp less, zero-ischemia partial nephrectomy, cystoprostatectomy, pyeloplasty, ureteral reimplantation, and vesico-vaginal fistula repair. Surgeries are performed by Drs. Keuer and Lodowsky at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington and Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates. Below is a comprehensive list of surgeries available through the Urologic Surgeons at CUC:
- Radical prostatectomy with or without bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, bladder neck repair
- Suprapubic simple prostatectomy
- Cystolithotomy
- Partial cystectomy (cancer, diverticulum) 5) radical cystectomy with Extensive pelvic LND and ileal loop diversion (intracorporeal bowel work)
- Radical cystectomy with Indiana pouch (intracorporeal bowel work)
- Radical cystectomy with ortho topic bladder
- Ureteral reimplant (for stricture or injury)
- Distal ureterectomy with reimplant (cancer)
- Ureteral reimplant with psoas hitch
- Ureteral reimplant with boari flap
- Vesicovaginal fistula repair
- Nephrectomy
- Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff
- Partial nephrectomy clamp-less with RFA
- Partial nephrectomy with hilar clamping
- Renal cystectomy
- Nephrolithotomy
- Pyeloplasty
- Pyelolithotomy
- Coagulum pyelothotomy
- Nephropexy
- Ureterolysis
- Ileal loop diversion for defunctionalized bladder, incontinence, obstruction
- Cystorrhaphy
- Inguinal hernia repair with mesh at time of prostatectomy
- Adrenalectomy