St. Francis-Emory Healthcare upgraded their robot with the first patients being served with this advanced technology in late November. The new robotic surgical system supports our mission of Making Communities Healthier by providing improved clinical outcomes to our patients. St. Francis has seen continued growth in the minimally invasive and advanced (robotic) procedures.
 
The new surgical system continues to provide minimally invasive surgical options for a variety of service lines. The 3D HD imagery allows surgeons to view anatomical structures with better definition.  The instruments mirror the surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body, allowing them to access places that are usually difficult to reach.
 
Shaun Price, M.D., a general surgeon at St. Francis, uses the robotic-assisted surgery at St. Francis. He says, “The new robotic equipment allows our surgeons to operate in the most difficult areas. It not only serves as an extension of our hands and eyes but provides a greater range of motion with crisper movements. It is the next step in healthcare.” Dr. Price uses robotic-assisted procedures for hernias and colorectal surgery.
 
The new surgical system provides minimally invasive surgical treatments for services like gynecologic and general surgery. The current length of stay for open general/colorectal surgeries is five and a half days versus three days with other techniques. “The benefit of the upgraded system, allows us to treat women with gynecological cancers, reducing blood loss, decreasing pain and speeding recovery,” said Gregory Sfakianos, M.D., a gynecological oncologist at St. Francis GYN Oncology. “I am excited to be a part of building the robotics program.”
 
The clinical benefits associated with the new robot will continue to reduce the number of inpatient days and produce better patient outcomes.  It also has multiple patient benefits, including decreased operating room time, lower complication rate due to increased visualization, shorter length of stay for inpatient surgical procedures, and less post-operative pain and discomfort.