The first patient to undergo a procedure using the new surgical robot at Methodist University Hospital had a hysterectomy earlier this week and  returned home later that same evening.  Hysterectomies typically require a three to four-day hospital stay. 

“Rather than a long scar down her abdomen, this patient has four very small incisions on her abdomen,” said Dr. Todd Tillmanns, gynecologic oncologist with West Clinic and assistant professor Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Tenn. Health Science Center, who performed the surgery.  “She will be back to her normal routine much faster.”

Around 5 p.m. the day of her surgery, the patient said she felt good, but was “a little sore.”  She was grateful to Dr. Tillmanns his resident Mercedes Sayago. M.D., and the entire surgical and nursing team.  “Everyone has been so nice.  I feel blessed to be living in a time when medicine is so advanced.”

Dr. Tillmanns is one of a growing number of surgeons taking modern medicine to the next level with robotics, and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare wants to support those physicians.

“We are thrilled to be able to have this technology for our physicians.  Many were anxious to get the system, since the Intuitive Surgical da Vinci-S Surgical System is the most advanced robotic surgical system available,” said Vic Perini, vice president of operations at Methodist University Hospital in midtown Memphis. 

Methodist North Hospital got the robotic system last fall.  The da Vinci-S, a minimally-invasive surgical system, provides surgeons with enhanced features including an interactive video display, lower profile arms and greater mobility. 

“The da Vinci-S robotic system has given us the ability to see with greater clarity and perform complex and delicate procedures more effectively while offering the patient the most minimally-invasive surgery possible,” says Dr. Richard Pearson, a urologist who uses the system at both hospitals.   “In our experience, this has meant a better operation for the patient with reduced complications, hospital stays and recovery time.”

It is not just the physicians, but the entire team of nurses, anesthesiologists and technicians who receive special training to use the da Vinci-S robotic system.

The da Vinci system lends a mechanical helping hand to surgeons who use them for unprecedented control and precision.  Using a high-powered camera, the surgeon guides the robot’s four arms - that hold surgical tools which are inserted into the patient through small, keyhole-sized incisions.  The system’s ergonomic design allows the surgeon to operate from a comfortable, seated position at the console, with the eyes and hands positioned in line with the instruments.  At the same time, the state-of-the-art robotic and computer technologies scale, filter and seamlessly translate the surgeon’s delicate hand manipulations into precise micro-movements of the instruments.  In addition, the da Vinci’s video monitoring system provides a three-dimensional view of the surgery with magnification ten times that of the naked eye.

Dr. Tillmanns said the new Memphis Robotics Society also had its inaugural meeting a few weeks ago and includes physicians from the medical disciplines of cardio-thoracic, colorectal, gynecologic oncology, gynecologic, and urologic surgery.

“It is so exciting to be able to meet and discuss robotics with a group of physicians who are united to bring this remarkable advance in health care to patients in the Mid-South,” said Dr. Tillmanns.