Your Guide to Robotic Surgery at Phelps Health

Did you know? Phelps Health has offered robotic-assisted surgeries in Rolla since 2017.

Robotic surgery is a laparoscopic or minimally invasive procedure with an added layer of technology.

During these types of surgeries, the robot does not act on its own. Instead, surgeons are controlling the robotic system’s movements from a nearby console.

At Phelps Health, our surgeons and surgical staff currently use the da Vinci Xi robotic surgical system made by Intuitive.

This system provides high-definition 3D views for the surgeon. The da Vinci robot has mechanical wrists that bend and rotate to mimic the movements of a human wrist. These wrists and arms help the surgeon precisely perform the operation.

When a patient goes into an operating room for robotic surgery, they may notice the room is bright and cold, and they'll see a lot of equipment. The patient will be moved to a bed and given anesthesia and oxygen before they fall asleep for the procedure.

Many monitors are located in the operating room, so staff can see what the surgeon is seeing at any moment. In addition surgical staff can hear the surgeon through the speakers. If a surgeon needs a particular tool, staff can quickly assist the surgeon.

The da Vinci robotic system can be used during hernia repairs, hysterectomies, gall bladder procedures and other surgeries of the abdomen. The da Vinci Xi system also can help our surgeons perform more complex cases, such as colorectal procedures.

In 2021, a total of 171 surgeries using da Vinci robotics were performed at Phelps Health.

Compared to traditional open surgery that requires large incisions or cuts, robotic surgery uses only a few small incisions, which in turn, can mean less scarring.

Use of the da Vinci surgical system has shown many other benefits, including the following:

• Shorter hospital stays
• Fewer complications
• Less blood loss
• Faster recovery
• And less need for narcotic pain medicine after operations

Robotic surgery isn’t available for every case, and only a physician can determine whether an operation using da Vinci robotics is appropriate for each patient.