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da Vinci Surgical System

A milestone: 1,000 procedures

In early October, surgeons and the St. John’s operating room team performed our 1,000th robot-assisted prostate cancer surgery. This means we have one of the top 10 leading robotic surgery teams in the country. All 1,000 surgeries have been performed with the da Vinci® System. Find out about our 1,000th procedure.

About the da Vinci system

HealthEast Prostate Care offers the da Vinci Surgical System as an option for men undergoing prostate cancer treatment.

The da Vinci is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology and is used to remove the prostate gland. This surgery is known as a prostatectomy, or a radical prostatectomy if nearby tissues are also removed. da Vinci allows doctors to remove the prostate through five or six small incisions (each about one inch in length).

The doctor sits at a console near the patient and uses special controls to guide the da Vinci system. Using the system's four robotic arms, the doctor is able to see inside the patient's body in 3D and very accurately perform surgery with small, highly specialized instruments.

da Vinci gives doctors greater precision and improved dexterity. Thanks to the computer-enhanced system, doctors are able to view organs and other internal structures with higher resolution and magnification.

Frequently asked questions about da Vinci

Where is the da Vinci located?

The da Vinci is just one treatment option within the HealthEast Prostate Care program, which is located at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota.

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is surgery typically performed through small incisions. Many patients find they have shorter recovery times, fewer complications, reduced hospitalization costs and reduced trauma.

What are the benefits of using da Vinci?

When compared with traditional surgery, many patients who undergo da Vinci experience:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and transfusions
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery
• Faster return to normal daily activities

However, it's important to note that none of these benefits can be guaranteed, as surgery can be both patient and procedure specific.

Will the da Vinci System make the surgeon unnecessary?

It will enable surgeons to be more precise, advancing their technique and enhancing their capability to perform complex minimally invasive surgery. The da Vinci system replicates your surgeon's movements in real time. It cannot be programmed, nor can it make decisions on its own to move in any way or perform any type of surgical maneuver without your surgeon's input.

How can I get more information about daVinci?

Click here to request an information packet on the da Vinci system or call 651-232-7970.

Videos

About the daVinci system