For over a decade, Broward Health Coral Springs has provided surgeons the ability to perform complex surgeries using the assistance of advanced robot. Robotic surgery consists of a surgeon console, patient-side cart, and vision cart, allowing doctors to view 3DHD imagery of organs, vessels, and lymph nodes while operating on patients with mechanical arms ingeniously programmed to wield the smallest of tools.
“The whole goal is to enhance medical care,” said urologist Azeem Sachedina, M.D., “and from that perspective, there is no question robotic surgery is an absolute game changer.”
Often using the da Vinci surgical system, robotic-assisted procedures allow surgeons to control mechanical arms that bear surgical instruments and a camera. Robotics can sometimes enable surgeons to make smaller incisions rather than traditional large incisions, which in some cases may lead to a faster recovery with less pain. With surgeries such as hysterectomies and myomectomies, as well as prostate, gastrointestinal and other procedures, outcomes can be a benefit for the patient.
Zoyla Almeida, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and Chair of Robotics at Broward Health Coral Springs, has done over 2,000 robotic procedures to date. Of those surgeries, there have been few limits to which reproductive health issues she can correct, including hysterectomies for both cancerous and benign conditions, pelvic prolapse, and treatment for endometriosis, which can cause severe blood loss, pelvic pain, and infertility. She said that the da Vinci system in many cases has the ability to sometimes see much more of the human body by using impossibly small cameras that not only capture high definition views of organs but also surrounding blood vessels and tissue.
Broward Health urologist Michael Tyler, M.D., also continues to see the benefits from technological advantages provided by robotic assisted surgery, saying that “the difference between traditional and robotic surgery is significant. With the robotic technique, we can really control the surgical environment. When I am at the console, it’s basically like I am at the bedside.”
Dr. Almeida, agrees, adding robotic technology in the operating room may allow her to see and correct endometriosis and ovarian cysts in patients who may have suffered for years before exploring robotic surgery as an option.
“Women know their bodies well, and if they think something is off, they should definitely seek attention immediately and not ignore it,” said Almeida. “With robotic technology like we have today, complex surgeries may no longer need to be invasive as they were years ago.”
Broward Health Coral Springs has acquired additional and more upgraded robots within the last few years to fulfill patient and physician demand. Broward Health surgeons say the demand for minimally invasive robotic surgery is gratifying. Mark Shachner, M.D., operates at Broward Health Coral Springs on patients experiencing digestive issues with the da Vinci and called it an enormous revolution.
To learn more about minimally invasive, robotic surgeries offered at Broward Health Coral Springs, click here
Photo Caption: (l-r) Dr. Zoyla Almeida is presented with a recognition for surpassing over 2,000 robotic cases by Jared Smith, Broward Health Coral Springs Chief Executive Officer.
Photo Caption: The Broward Health Coral Springs surgery team.