NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County unveiled on Monday the Da Vinci Robot Surgical System, a robotic technology that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgeries with precision and dexterity, using smaller surgical incisions, reducing blood loss and accelerating recovery time.
With four interactive arms, a high-definition 3D vision system and an ergonomically designed console, the da Vinci Robot allows surgeons to operate in harder-to-access places. The technology scales hand movements, eliminating normal human tremors or shaking during surgery.
"Acquiring the da Vinci Robot System at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County modernizes the quality care we provide our patients every day," said Sheldon P. McLeod, the hospital's chief executive officer. "Robotic surgery will allow our surgeons to improve both their vision of the surgical field and their surgical precision while performing complex and routine surgeries. This advantage strengthens our commitment to providing advanced patient care to the Brooklyn community and beyond."
In addition to being less invasive than traditional surgery, robotic surgery allows surgeons to see patients' tissue and organs magnified up to ten times. Patients are expected to experience minimal incision scarring, shorter hospital stays, reduced pain and discomfort, less need for medication to manage pain and faster recovery times. Kings County plans to use the robotic system to perform a multitude of minimally invasive procedures including gynecologic, urologic thoracic, general and colorectal surgeries.
The robot system cost $2.1 million and was made possible with funding from Flatbush Councilmember Mathieu Eugene, the New York City Council and the Mayor's office.
"This is a groundbreaking piece of medical technology that will transform the ability of this medical institution to provide complex surgeries on patients who are in need of urgent care," said Eugene. "It will also provide our doctors and surgeons with the ability to improve patient recovery rates while offering specialized medical services close to home. I believe that our health is truly a gift from God, and that we need to improve patient access to quality healthcare regardless of socioeconomic status."
