UI Health Care adds three new robotic-assisted surgical systems, doubling patient access to some types of minimally invasive procedures
Three new da Vinci®surgical systems are first in Iowa and will enable around 1,000 additional robotic-assisted minimally invasive procedures at UI Health Care each year
University of Iowa Health Care has added three new da Vinci® 5 robotic-assisted surgical systems, one of the latest minimally invasive technologies on the market, as part of the health system’s continued commitment to providing patients with the most advanced treatment options before they’re available elsewhere.
Minimally invasive surgical procedures often result in better outcomes for patients, including shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. The three new da Vinci® 5s are the first in Iowa and will double capacity at university campus for robotic-assisted minimally invasive procedures, enabling approximately 1,000 additional procedures each year. UI Health Care already has three robotic-assisted surgical systems in use at its university campus.
Greater precision, better outcomes
Surgeons use the advanced da Vinci® 5 robotic system to perform minimally invasive procedures with greater precision and control. The system translates a surgeon’s hand movements in real time—guiding tiny instruments with exceptional precision and range of motion. This system also provides a highly magnified, 3D high-definition view of the surgical area, allowing for greater accuracy through just a few small incisions.
“Robotic-assisted surgical systems provide a number of advantages to patients who are eligible for these types of surgeries,” says David Bender, MD, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, a gynecologic oncologist, and medical director of robotic surgery with UI Health Care. “There’s better overall patient satisfaction in terms of recovery from the surgery. They're getting back to work and other activities earlier.”
“With 3D imaging, surgeons have more precise control of their instrumentation,” adds Bender. “There's less discomfort for the patient and stress on the tissues compared to open or laparoscopic procedures, less blood loss, and lower rates of infection.”
More minimally invasive options across specialties
The versatility and precision of the da Vinci® 5 robotic-assisted surgical system makes it an invaluable tool for surgeons across multiple specialties, including urological, gynecological, and general surgeries.
“As robotic-assisted surgical technology continues to advance, it can be used in a wider range of procedures,” says Bender. “We have surgeons across a number of specialties who are eager to have access to this technology. Now that we have six robotic-assisted systems under one roof, we'll be able to provide patients with new types of procedures we weren’t able to provide before.”
More information is available here on minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries at UI Health Care.