Newman Regional Health made local medical history Wednesday with the first surgical procedures done with the help of robots.
General surgeon Dr. Tim Harris and proctoring physician Dr. Jeremy Howes performed a cholecystectomy to remove a gallbladder.
Newman Regional Health’s Board of Trustees approved the $2.4 million purchase af a fourth-generation da Vinci surgical system several months ago. Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright says this helps to set Newman Regional Health apart from other hospitals across the state.
Newman Regional Health Medical Partners general surgeon Rebecca Douglass says the new system does not remove the human element from surgical procedures. She explains the arm and surgeon essentially work as one to perform a more efficient procedure.
The robot is used for “minimally invasive” procedures and serves as a natural extension of a surgeon’s eyes and hands. Newman Regional Health plans to have the da Vinci system available for general surgery, urology, obstetrics and gynecology. Robotic surgeries are preferred over conventional surgeries because of decreased post-operation pain, decreased used of pain medications, decreased length of stays, better visualization and a greater range of motion after surgery.
Newman Regional Health is now one of three Critical Access hospitals in Kansas to offer robotic-assisted surgeries. Residents can learn more about the da Vinci system by going online at www.newmanrh/davinci.
