Da Vinci for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Da Vinci for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery at Desert Care Network is a minimally invasive option for certain procedures in the Coachella Valley. Your surgeon controls the system throughout surgery, which may be performed through small incisions. Depending on the procedure and your health, this approach may mean less pain, blood loss and recovery time than open surgery.
What Is da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgery?
Da Vinci is a computer-assisted surgical system that trained surgeons may use for certain minimally invasive procedures. Minimally invasive surgery uses small incisions, or cuts, rather than one larger open incision.
During surgery, your surgeon sits at a console in the operating room and directs the system. Depending on the system and procedure, the surgeon may use a magnified, three-dimensional view of the surgical area and flexible instruments designed to work in smaller spaces.
Da Vinci is a surgical tool. It does not make decisions or treat the condition on its own. Your surgeon decides whether this approach is appropriate and how it is used during your procedure.
Potential Benefits of da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgery
The potential benefits of da Vinci surgery depend on the procedure, your health and your surgeon’s evaluation. For some patients, this approach may offer:
- Smaller incisions. Certain procedures may be performed through small incisions rather than one larger incision. This may mean less scarring for some patients.
- Less pain and blood loss. Compared with open surgery, a minimally invasive approach may result in less pain and blood loss for certain procedures.
- A shorter hospital stay or recovery. Some patients may spend less time in the hospital and return to everyday activities sooner than they might after open surgery.
- Surgeon-controlled vision and instrument movement. The system may help the surgeon view the surgical area and guide small instruments during the planned procedure.
How da Vinci May Be Used
At Desert Care Network, tha da Vinci may be used depending on the procedure, your surgeon’s evaluation and the hospital or surgery center where you receive care.
- General surgery - May include procedures involving the digestive tract, abdomen or soft tissues.
- Gynecologic surgery - May include hysterectomy, uterine fibroid removal or treatment for endometriosis and pelvic floor prolapse.
- Urology - May include certain procedures involving the urinary system.
- Bariatric surgery - May include certain weight-loss procedures.
Who May Be a Candidate for da Vinci Surgery?
Eligibility for the da Vinci surgical system is based on:
- Your condition and whether surgery is needed
- Whether a minimally invasive approach may be appropriate
- Your overall health, prior surgery and other factors that may affect care
- Your surgeon’s experience with the planned procedure
- Other nonsurgical and surgical options, including their potential benefits and risks
Risks and Considerations
Da Vinci surgery has potential risks and considerations, just like any surgical approach. These may vary based on the procedure, your health and other individual factors. In some cases, your surgeon may need to change to another surgical technique or make a larger incision during surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the potential benefits, risks and alternatives that apply to your care, as well as factors that may affect recovery.
What to Expect
Your surgeon and care team will explain what to expect before, during and after da Vinci surgery. Your preparation, hospital stay and recovery plan will depend on the procedure and your individual health needs.
Consultation and Evaluation
Your surgeon will review your condition, treatment goals and the procedure being considered. You can discuss whether surgery is needed and whether a minimally invasive approach may be an option.
Surgical Planning
Your care team will create a plan based on your procedure and health history. Before surgery, follow the instructions you receive about medications, eating and drinking, transportation and other preparation steps.
Procedure Day
On the day of surgery, your surgeon and care team will prepare you for the planned procedure. During da Vinci surgery, your surgeon controls the system from a console as part of the operation.
Recovery and Follow-up
Recovery varies by procedure, health and surgical approach. Some patients may have a shorter hospital stay or return to regular activities sooner after minimally invasive surgery than after open surgery. Your care team will provide instructions for recovery, activity and follow-up care.
Minimally Invasive Surgical Care at Desert Care Network
Desert Care Network provides inpatient and outpatient surgical care for patients across the Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs and Indio. When appropriate, surgeons may use minimally invasive techniques for conditions involving the digestive tract, abdomen and soft tissues to help reduce discomfort, scarring, recovery time and hospital stay.
Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery is one of the minimally invasive options available within the network. At Desert Regional Medical Center, da Vinci technology supports certain general, gynecologic, urologic and bariatric procedures. Your surgeon will recommend an approach based on your condition and planned procedure.
El Mirador Medical Plaza in Palm Springs is Desert Regional’s freestanding outpatient surgery center. The multispecialty center has six operating rooms, 12 recovery beds and a da Vinci Surgical System, supporting care in areas including urology, gynecology and adult general surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci system is also available at JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Da Vinci is a computer-assisted surgical system that trained surgeons may use for certain minimally invasive procedures. The surgeon controls the system throughout the operation.
No. Your surgeon performs the surgery and controls the da Vinci system. The system helps translate the surgeon’s movements to the instruments used during the procedure.
Da Vinci may be used for certain procedures by trained surgeons. Like any surgery, it has potential risks that depend on the procedure and your health. Your surgeon will discuss the benefits and risks that may apply to you.
Both approaches may use small incisions. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon uses handheld instruments. With da Vinci, the surgeon directs the instruments from a console and may use a magnified, three-dimensional view of the surgical area.
At Desert Care Network, da Vinci may be used for selected general, colorectal, gynecologic, urologic and bariatric procedures. Availability depends on the procedure, the treating location and your surgeon’s evaluation.
Your surgeon will consider your condition, planned procedure, overall health and available treatment options. Da Vinci surgery may not be appropriate for every patient or every procedure.
Recovery time varies. It may depend on the procedure, your health and whether surgery is performed using a minimally invasive or open approach. Your care team will explain what to expect for your recovery.
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule an appointment with a Desert Care Network surgeon to discuss your condition and treatment options. Your surgeon can answer your questions, explain the potential benefits and risks of each approach and help determine whether da Vinci surgery may be appropriate for you.