CalvertHealth is proud to offer its patients the latest in robotic surgery. High-quality, safe care is always our top priority.

Robotic surgery technology lets your surgeon see with enhanced definition, move more precisely, and better pinpoint the area of your body being treated. It also involves small, strategically placed incisions instead of the large ones typical of older techniques. These enhanced capabilities offer you greater safety and faster recovery.

Our skilled surgeons are extensively trained and leading the way in robotic surgeries. Today, we apply them to a wide area of specialty surgeries, including:

• Bariatric surgery
• General surgery
• Urologic surgery
• Urogynecology

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition that may require surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn about all of your medical options, including one of the most effective, least invasive surgical treatments, robotic surgery. Our goal is to be your trusted healthcare leader when it comes to surgical procedures.

Advantages of using the da Vinci® robot compared to traditional surgery

The system is a state-of-the-art technology designed by Intuitive Surgical, an American corporation that develops robotics designed to improve clinical outcomes. When we use the da Vinci® system, our patients benefit from:

• Less pain after surgery
• Smaller incisions and less scarring
• Less risk of complications, including infection and blood loss
• Shorter hospital stays
• Quicker recoveries
• As good or better operational success

How it Works

First, the surgeon makes tiny incisions in the body and then inserts miniaturized instruments and a high-definition three-dimensional camera. Then, the surgeon operates using a nearby console to manipulate the instruments. Like a video game that translates the player's movements into real-time movement on the screen, the da Vinci® robotic surgery system responds to the physician's input. The system includes the following equipment, designed to make the robotic surgery as precise as possible:

• Patient cart with four interactive robotic arms: The robotic arms include surgical instruments and a high-definition camera. Your surgeon will place the instruments and camera inside the surgery site in order to operate.
• Surgeon's console: This is where your surgeon sits to direct the surgery. It is in the same room that you are in, a few feet away from the operating table. Inside the console is a screen that provides enhanced, real-time 3-D images of the operating site. From a seated position at the console, your surgeon can position their eyes and hands in alignment with the robotic system’s camera and instruments to operate with extreme precision. This allows your surgeon to see the operating field even better than if they were standing over you. Your physician is 100 percent in control of the robotic surgical system the entire time.
• EndoWrist instruments: During the procedure, your surgeon directs dime-sized instruments to perform the surgery. The instruments inside your body respond precisely to your surgeon's movements inside the console.

It's important to understand that the system allows the surgeon to make precise, delicate motions while controlling the machine. The robot is not making decisions or performing incisions. Instead, the surgeon is telling the robot what to do. The robot allows for greater precision than the human hand on its own.

Planning and Recovery

If you need surgery, experts will discuss your best options with you. Not everyone is a good candidate for robotic surgery using the da Vinci® system. Your care team will recommend treatment options that work best for you based on your condition and medical history. If you are a good candidate for da Vinci® surgery, we'll give you specific instructions for preparing for your surgery, including:

• Confirming insurance coverage
• What to wear
• What to bring
• How to prepare beforehand (e.g., food, medications, preoperative physical therapy, etc.)

Every individual is different, and your recovery will vary based on the type of surgery being performed with the da Vinci® system. In general, you can expect a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than if you were undergoing traditional surgery. To understand what to expect following surgery, consider asking your surgeon the following questions:

• How will I manage my pain after surgery?
• What kind of follow-up care will I need?
• What activity restrictions will I have?
• Are there food or drink limitations?
• When can I resume regular activities, work, and exercise?

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Frequently Asked Questions