Physicians with the 96th Medical Group completed the first robotic-assisted surgery on November 2.
Using the unit’s new DaVinci Robotics System, the team performed a successful hernia repair operation. The unit has plans to use the quad-armed robot for most general and even complex procedures in the future.
“This capability allows us to accomplish so much more for the patient and in a less invasive manner,” said Maj. (Dr.) George Fulghum, the 96th MDS Medical Director of General Surgery.
During the surgical procedure, the robot is placed above the patient, and the arms, which have interchangeable tools on them to perform different tasks, are moved into position. The doctor makes the required patient incisions manually. Then the arms are inserted into the body. The physicians sit approximately five feet away in the system console, where they can view the inside of the body via the robot’s 3D cameras and manipulate the arms with hand and foot controls.