Jennifer Pittorino
An advanced robotic surgical system has been installed at Footscray Hospital and begun performing successful surgeries.
The computer-controlled device called the da Vinci Xi has four arms that act as a natural extension of the surgeons’ eyes and hands, which allow surgeons to perform more precise, less invasive operations.
St Albans’ Jason Elliott was the second patient at Western Health to receive surgery with the da Vinci surgical system.
The 52 year olds operation took place on Wednesday, March 6 and was a great success.
“I’ve been booked in for kidney cancer surgery since December last year,” he said.
“There was a chance it could bleed badly, or that I could lose the whole kidney so I was pretty worried.
The robot is designed to help specialists conduct a broad range of procedures with small incisions and improved control, precision and movement, like Mr Elliott’s kidney procedure.
“I’m in a little bit of pain after the operation but everything’s gone really well,” he said.
“I’m quite shocked actually, I’ve had my gallbladder out and I was in hospital longer for that surgery than for this one.
“They’ve managed to remove all the cancer and I’ve also kept the kidney.”
The equipment will be on loan for 12 months, which has delighted surgeons, including Western Health head of urology Professor Niall Corcoran.
“We are delighted that our surgeons can use state-of-the-art equipment to perform life-changing surgeries on patients,” he said.
“Robotic-assisted surgery has revolutionised the field of minimally invasive surgery by assisting surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision, flexibility and control.”
“It’s vitally important that all patients can have access to state-of-the-art equipment, and we are delighted to be able to offer patients in the west of Melbourne world-class care.
“Access to this technology will also help us provide world-class training as a teaching hospital for future surgeons.”
The robotic system can be used to treat patients with a range of diseases and conditions including procedures in urology, colorectal, upper gastrointestinal tract, cardiothoracic, gynaecology and head and neck.
