SPRING 2014
Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Walla Walla,
WA
Permit No. 44
2
New definition in
MRI technology
I n t h i s i ssue
STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY, STATE OF THE HEART COMPASSION
HEALTH CURRENTS
From left: Bryan Hambric, MD, General Surgery; Alyson Kirchner, MD, OB-GYN; Serapio
Vela, MD, General Surgery; and George Mannel, MD, OB-GYN, surgeons trained in and
performing da Vinci procedures at GRMC
Five hundred years ago,
Leonardo da Vinci was
working in Italy as an artist
and engineer, drawing
amazingly detailed sketches
of human anatomy and
even designing a number of
complex machines.
Today, a robot-assisted surgery system
bearing his name is used to perform
multiport and single-site laparoscopic
general and gynecologic procedures
at GRMC. The system consists of three
pieces: a computerized physician
console, a 3-D video monitor and the
robot with three robotic arms.
During a da Vinci robotic surgery,
the surgeon sits at the console near
the operating table. A magnified,
high-definition image of the
operating area appears on a monitor.
Using computerized hand and foot
controls to manipulate the robotic
arms, the surgeon then performs the
procedure.
Is it safe?
“Every action is directly controlled
by the surgeon,” says Annette Jones,
Executive Director of Perioperative
Services at GRMC. “The robotic arms
cannot be programmed to move
on their own. When the surgeon’s
forehead is removed from the surgeon
console, the robotic arms freeze as a
safety precaution.”
What are the benefits?
The magnified view of the operating
field, combined with the flexibility and
precision of the computer-controlled
surgical tools, allows for very small
incisions during surgery. The smaller
opening can lead to several benefits
for the patient:
• Less pain, scarring and blood loss
• A shorter hospital stay
• A lower risk of infection
Not all surgeries can be performed
using the da Vinci robotic system,
and not everyone is a candidate for
its use. If you’re considering general
or gynecologic surgery at GRMC,
ask your doctor whether the da Vinci
system is an option.
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