Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows doctors to use very small surgical instruments and a series of tiny incisions. 

Because it can be performed with these small incisions and with pinpoint accuracy, many patients can benefit from less surgical trauma, minimal scarring, and faster recovery times than with traditional open surgery.

How it works.

St. Joseph Health has invested in the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, bringing even more state-of-the-art technology to our 16 operating suites. 

The da Vinci Xi Surgical System can be used for many minimally invasive surgical procedures and is optimal for surgeries in the areas of gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery. The da Vinci Xi System enables efficient access throughout the abdomen or chest and features wristed instruments, 3D-HD visualization, intuitive motion, and an ergonomic design.

As with all da Vinci Surgical Systems, the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted da Vinci System, which translates his/her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. The Xi System’s immersive 3D-HD vision system provides surgeons a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient.

Robot assisted surgery offers an effective, minimally invasive alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopy.

The big advantages of robotic surgery.

Robotic surgery allows patients to get back to life faster. In fact, recovery times are a fraction of what they are with traditional surgery.

The advantages include:

• Fewer complications, including lower risk of surgical site infection.
• Less pain and blood loss.
• Quicker recovery.
• Smaller, less noticeable scars.
• Typically less trauma to the body.
• Often less need for pain medication.
  
• Enhanced precision, flexibility and control for surgeons during operations.
• Delicate and complex procedures that may have been difficult or impossible with traditional surgical techniques.
   

Robotic surgery is currently FDA-approved for over 50 procedures in:

• Bariatric Surgery (weight loss surgery)
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery
• Otolaryngology – Head & Neck (ENT)
• General Surgery
• Gynecology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
• Urology

A history of surgical excellence.

The St. Joseph Health surgical team includes specialists in every discipline, and with 16 full-service operating rooms (OR) in our Regional Hospital surgery center and 8 ORs in our College Station, you won’t find another health system in the region that is equipped quite like St. Joseph Health.

We also offer two endoscopy suitesand a cystoscopy suite at each hospital, and a 22-bed ambulatory surgery unit for outpatient procedures at Regional Hospital. Our operating rooms are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support our emergency department—the region's only Level II Trauma Center.