Robotic Surgery

Catawba Valley Medical Center became the first hospital in the northwestern North Carolina area to offer state-of-the-art robotic surgical technology to patients with the da Vinci Surgical System, an innovative surgical platform designed to enable complex, minimally invasive surgery. It allows surgeons to conduct extremely precise surgical operations with a high degree of fluidity and accuracy. When compared with traditional open surgery or even laparoscopic surgery, the da Vinci system can result in better clinical outcomes and allow patients to return to active, productive lives more quickly.

Surgical Applications

The da Vinci Si system is currently utilized at CVMC for prostatectomy, hysterectomy, colon resection, gall bladder, and hernia repair surgeries. The following surgeons can perform daVinci procedures at Catawba Valley Medical Center: Dr. Matthew Creighton, Dr. Edward Gerrard Jr., Dr. Heather Willis, Dr. Jason Walker, Dr. Nancy Toy, Dr. Robert Boyd, Dr. Harold Dufour and Dr. Bryan McCluer.

How it Works

The da Vinci Surgical System consists of an ergonomically designed surgeon’s console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a 3-D vision system with an endoscopic camera, and miniature surgical instruments. Powered by computer-enhanced technology, the surgeon’s hand movements at the console are scaled, filtered and seamlessly translated into precise movements of the surgical instruments inside the patient. The technology extends the surgeons’ capabilities by providing a three-dimensional view of the operating field and improving access to the surgical site through small instrument “ports” that eliminate the need for large incisions. The system also provides full freedom of movement at its instrument tips, allowing precise operation in a closed chest, abdomen or pelvis.

Patient Benefits

• Smaller incisions
• Reduced post-operative pain
• Shorter hospital stays
• Less risk of infection and complications
• Less blood loss and transfusions
• Shorter recovery time