Watch CBS News

Surgical Robot Offers Helping Hand At Modesto Hospital

MODESTO (CBS13) — A new chapter in surgical procedures is taking shape at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto with a robot meant to reduce mistakes and shorten surgery times leading to a faster recovery.

At first glance, the Da Vinci Xi robot looks pretty intimidating, but doctors say it can perform more intricate techniques than the human hand, giving patients a higher level of care.

"From the patient point of view, it's a huge benefit," said Dr. Niah Sevay. "They get very small incisions, quicker recovery, less pain."

Doctors can control up to four arms of the instrument console, using a joystick device and foot pedals to control each move and motion and see well beyond what the naked eye is able to capture.

"It's three-piece equipment. We have a surgeon console over there, where the surgeon lives. The patient card is the operative component that moves the instruments inside the patient and the vision tower which is the eyes and the brain of system," said Monica Vardeh with Intuitive Surgical.

The robot crosses over multiple specialities and has been used for everything from surgical weight loss to gynecological procedures and even some general surgeries. Doctors can also give it a test drive before the patient arrives with a 3-D simulation option to hone their skills.

"I think the sky is the limit. I think we're going to be able to do more and more larger surgeries with smaller incisions and yet with the great safety the patients deserve," Sevay said. "Instead of spending 10 days in the hospital with an open procedure people are going home in one to two days. They're getting back to work sooner."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.