Flowers Hospital Celebrates 10,000 Robotic Assisted Surgeries
6/7/2024
Flowers Hospital recently celebrated reaching the significant milestone of performing 10,000 robotic assisted surgeries. Since 2008, surgeons across multiple specialties have used robotic surgery systems at Flowers Hospital for improved patient outcomes for a variety of urologic, gynecologic and general surgery procedures.
The robotic technology gives the surgeon enhanced dexterity, precision and range of motion, and the robot is entirely controlled by the surgeon from a console in the operating room. Small incisions are made near the surgical treatment area, and the surgeon manipulates the robotic arms from the console while the patient is attended bedside by nurses, anesthesiologists and surgery technicians. Powerful cameras on the ends of the robotic arms provide magnified, three-dimensional images to provide clear details of the surgical area.
“Surgical robot systems provide the surgeon improved visualization and the ability to operate with better precision, which can lead to what’s most important for patients: quicker recovery times, shorter hospital stays, less pain and scarring and a lower risk of infection,” said Steve Fendley, M.D., medical director of robotic-assisted surgery and general surgery at Flowers Hospital. “We are committed to doing robotic assisted surgery, and doing it well, because we feel it is the best thing for our patients.”
Flowers Hospital also serves as a mentor site where other surgeons from around the country come to train on various robotic procedures.
“Some of the robotic surgeons at Flowers Hospital have performed thousands of robotic surgeries individually, and just like other skills, the more robotic surgeries you perform, the better you become at it,” said Fendley. “It’s an honor to be able to train other surgeons who are interested in providing this level of care to their patients.”
Flowers Hospital has three surgical robot systems and performs more than 100 robotic assisted surgeries each month. The technology was initially used by surgical specialists in urology and gynecology before expanding to general surgery and is now used for a variety of procedures, such as hernia repairs, colon surgery, gallbladder surgeries, weight loss surgery, hysterectomies and kidney surgeries.
“We are proud to be a leader in bringing the robotic surgical technology to our community and are proud of the difference it has made in patients’ lives,” said Jeff Brannon, Flowers Hospital chief executive officer. “The level of care offered at Flowers Hospital rivals that in larger markets thanks to the experience and compassion of our entire OR team who are dedicated to providing advanced surgical care here at home in the Wiregrass.”
Pictured are members of the Flowers Hospital robotic assisted surgery team.
Back