Robotic surgery arrives at Waynesboro Hospital, making major procedures less invasive

Robotic surgery has arrived at WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital.

“We are excited to bring robotic surgery to WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital and offer residents of the area the benefits of minimally invasive procedures using the da Vinci robotic surgery system,” said Melissa Dubrow, vice president of WellSpan Health and president of WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital.

Robotic surgery technology has been in use at other WellSpan Health facilities, including at Chambersburg, but its introduction at Waynesboro means more local people will not have to travel as far to take advantage of it.

How does robotic surgery work?

A surgeon still leads the way in robotic-assisted surgeries. The technology cannot act on its own, according to WellSpan Health.

The surgeon sits at a specially designed console near the patient and performs the surgery by controlling the robotic instruments.

One instrument holds a lighted endoscopic camera that produces a three-dimensional, high-definition image of the surgical field inside the patient's body. The rest of the surgical team can also see it on a large monitor.

Incisions made in robotic-assisted surgery are smaller than those made in traditional surgeries. About the size of a dime, they can usually be covered with a dressing about the size of a regular bandage.

Health care for kids: Chambersburg Hospital no longer admitting pediatric patients: What to know

Good-bye, MRI trailer: Waynesboro Hospital's $2.5M MRI suite offers speed, best imaging and custom effects

What procedures can be done with robotics?

The robotic surgery technology allows patients to undergo major procedures without the physical trauma of traditional surgery.

"WellSpan surgeons are utilizing the minimally-invasive da Vinci robotic surgery system for a number of advanced surgical procedures. The superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, greater precision and ergonomic comfort of the da Vinci Surgical System makes it possible for your surgeon to perform complex procedures through a few tiny openings," WellSpan Health states on its website.

Surgeries available include:

• Hernia repairs

• Gallbladder surgery

• Gynecological surgery: hysterectomies, ovarian surgeries and uterine surgeries

• Thoracic surgery

• Urologic surgery

• Bariatric surgery

• Colorectal surgery

• General surgery

Patients who undergo robotic-assisted surgery may have less pain, less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery and smaller scars, according to WellSpan Health. Patients also report higher overall satisfaction.

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: da Vinci robotic surgery system arrives at Waynesboro Hospital