Sequoia Celebrates First Anniversary of Robotic Surgery
REDWOOD CITY, CA – June 9, 2009 – Sequoia Hospital announced today the one year anniversary of the robotic surgery program. The first hospital in San Mateo County to acquire and use the high definition da Vinci® S Surgical System, Sequoia has performed nearly 100 high level cases in urology and gynecology with excellent outcomes.
“My robotic hysterectomy was a walk in the park,” said Melody Benson, age 47. “I wasn’t looking forward to having a hysterectomy but when I heard about the quick recovery and benefits of robotic surgery, I signed right up. I was out of bed the first day, home in 24 hours and back to all the things I love within two weeks. I was hiking with my dog, seeing friends and back to work much sooner because of the robotic technique.”
“My robotic surgery patients have less pain, less blood loss, a shorter recovery time and in many cases, better clinical outcomes than a traditional open surgical approach to hysterectomy,” said Elaine Chien, MD, obstetrics/gynecology. “There is no reason not to approach most hysterectomies robotically. A robotic technique usually involves much less tissue manipulation than other minimally invasive approaches; less stress on the tissue often means a much quicker, less painful recovery. My patient Melody would have been home for at least 4 weeks with traditional surgery. With robotic surgery, I saw her in my office less than a week later and she was already out and about, doing extremely well."
“The goal of Sequoia’s robotic surgery program is rapid expansion through the recruitment of leading surgical talent in all specialties while providing the most advanced health care options to our community today,” said Dieter Bruno, MD, urologist and Medical Director of Robotic Surgery at Sequoia Hospital.
About Robotic Surgery
Using the da Vinci S Surgical System, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3D high-definition image of the surgical field, steps away from the patient at all times. The surgeon's fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.
Many surgical procedures performed today using a standard laparoscopic technique may be performed more quickly and easily using the da Vinci S Surgical System. This is because the da Vinci S Surgical System delivers increased clinical capability while maintaining the same "look and feel" of open surgery. For the patient, benefits may include: less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, less scarring, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery. The future is now!
The Robotic Program has been generously funded by the Sequoia Hospital Foundation.
About Sequoia Hospital
Sequoia Hospital is an accredited, not-for-profit community hospital providing innovative and exceptional healthcare to Bay Area residents. With a nationwide reputation for pioneering advanced cardiac care, Sequoia is designated as a 2009 Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California. Sequoia also excels in the areas of stroke care, emergency services, and birth center services. Voted “A Family Favorite 2008 Best Hospital” by readers of Bay Area Parent magazine, Sequoia ranks in the top percentile of U.S. hospitals for patient satisfaction and is a leader in quality and safety initiatives. To learn more, please visit: www.SequoiaHospital.org
