Understanding da Vinci Robot-Assisted Surgery

Northern Westchester Hospital is #1 in New York State for patient satisfaction.*

Northern Westchester Hospital's highly-credentialed surgical specialists routinely perform minimally invasive surgeries to treat a wide range of conditions. 

A cornerstone to our Minimally Invasive Surgery program is the leading-edge technology of the da Vinci® Surgical Robots.

With da Vinci robot-assisted surgery, surgeons are able to perform less-invasive surgery with a greater level of sophistication, an increased range of motion and more precise movements by enhancing their skills with delicate instrumentation. Though it is often called a “robot,” the da Vinci cannot act on its own—the surgery is performed entirely by your surgeon.

Your surgeon controls the da Vinci System, which enables increased range of motion, improved dexterity, and enhanced visualization that allow surgeons to perform procedures that weren’t previously possible through other techniques. The da Vinci System utilizes high-definition 3D imaging that provides surgeons with a magnified view and greater visualization of the procedure. Additional benefits of robot-assisted surgery include:

• Less post-operative pain
• A lower risk of infection
• Minimal scarring
• Decreased blood loss
• Faster recovery times
• Earlier discharge from hospital 

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Conditions treated by the da Vinci® Robot include cancers of the prostate, kidneys, and bladder and gynecologic cancers, as well as benign gynecologic conditions such as fibroids and ovarian cysts.

Robot-assisted Surgery Training Simulator

Robot-assisted surgery requires a great deal of training. Northern Westchester Hospital is the only regional hospital with a training simulator that surgeons use to refine their skills and master various robotic techniques. This system is similar to a flight simulator that pilots use when training to fly jet airplanes. The robotic surgery simulator enables surgeons to perfect their skills and meet the stringent requirements that are necessary for performing highly-precise robot-assisted surgery.

*reported by CMS Hospital Compare Data compiled by HANYS in October, 2012.