Robotic Assisted Surgery
The most advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology is available at CHI St. Alexius Health. The robotic platform allows previously invasive surgeries to be performed in a minimally invasive fashion using cameras and small incisions in the skin. This technology is for patients undergoing a wide variety of surgical procedures in specialty areas, including:
- General Surgery (hernias & gallbladder procedures)
- Gynecology
- Urology
- Orthopaedics
How Robotic-assisted Surgery Works
Robotic-assisted surgery is breakthrough technology. It is an effective, minimally invasive alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopy performed through small incisions using fully articulating micro-instruments. Benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Less pain after the surgery
- Lower risk of infection
- Less blood loss and fewer transfusions
- Less scarring & improved cosmetic healing
- Faster recovery and return to normal daily activities
- In many cases, better clinical outcomes
da Vinci XI Robot - Bismarck
CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck uses the latest-generation robotic-assisted surgical system. It consists of three main components: a patient side cart with four interactive robotic arms, an endoscopic camera and video system that transmits high-definition, three-dimensional images from inside the body, and a surgeon’s control console.
Sitting at the console a few feet from the operating table, the physician looks into viewfinder of the fiber optic imaging system and sees a three-dimensional high definition view of the surgical site that is magnified 10 times that of the naked eye, enabling a superior view of the anatomy. By comparison, most laparoscopic surgeries provide doctors with 4X magnification. The surgeon is easily able to reposition, zoom and rotate the camera to adjust to the field of vision, from the console. The natural depth-of-field enables the surgeon to perform delicate tissue dissection and suture with superior dexterity, even in a very confined space.
Surgical technique is enhanced
Each movement of the surgeon's hands is translated into smooth, precise movements of the micro-instruments with extraordinary control, ambidextrous capability and full 360-degree range of motion. It is important to note that robotic-assisted surgery does not place a robot at the controls, your surgeon is controlling every aspect of the surgery with its assistance. It cannot be programmed, nor can it make decisions on its own. The system requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon. It is essentially an extension of your surgeon's hands.
Small incisions
The small, precise instruments allow for delicate incisions and stitching not possible through other minimally-invasive techniques. The number of incisions used varies by procedure, but the significance lies in their size - an average of only one to two centimeters - or roughly the size of a dime. The system gives surgeons the ability to perform many complex procedures.
Bismarck Urology Clinic’s da Vinci® XI robot utilizes 3D HD endoscopy and offers significant benefits to patients compared to open surgery. Learn more about the Urology Clinic at CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck.
Mako SmartRobotics System for Total Hip, Total Knee & Partial Knee Replacements – Dickinson
CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson is the first hospital in western North Dakota to offer Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ System for orthopaedic surgeries. This advancement in joint replacement surgery transforms the way total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements are performed by combining three key components into one platform that can improve patient outcomes for these procedures.
The Mako System’s 3D CT component allows the surgeon to create a personalized plan based on each patient’s unique anatomy before even entering the operating room. During surgery, the surgeon can validate that plan and make any necessary adjustments while guiding the robotic arm to execute that plan.
This is the only orthopedic robot of its scope for all 3 applications (partial knee, total knee, and total hip) available within a 300 mile radius of Dickinson.
Read more about the Mako Robot and orthopaedics in Dickinson here.
Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee System – Bismarck
CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck and The Bone & Joint Center’s robotically-assisted surgical system is designed to help perform total knee replacement surgery. The ROSA robot builds a virtual model of the patient’s knee allowing the surgeon to operate with even more precision.
This robotic system increases the patient's chances for faster recovery, less pain, and improved mobility.
CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck is the first and only hospital in ND to receive The Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification for Total Knee and Total Hip Replacements. We are grateful to offer ROSA Knee as one more tool to help surgeons advance and lead care in the region.
Patients looking for more information on the ROSA Knee for total knee replacements should call The Bone & Joint Center joint program at 701.946.7472.
