Santiam Hospital & Clinics in Stayton has added a robot surgical tool to its health care toolkit.
The hospital has purchased, received and is currently installing a da Vinci Xi surgical system. The machine is considered the next generation in robotic surgical equipment because it offers a minimally less invasive option for some gynecological and general surgery procedures.
The da Vinci Xi allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through small incisions as an alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy. The da Vinci Xi is designed to offer patients a faster recovery time, minimal scarring and pain, less trauma on the body, and a shorter hospital stay.
“This is a significant investment by Santiam Hospital & Clinics for the overall health of our community,” said Maggie Hudson, CEO & President.
“The da Vinci Xi is the next step in minimally invasive surgical technology and this will allow us to perform more complex procedures across an array of disciplines such as general surgery and gynecology.
“This investment and advanced system is yet another reason that our patients do not need to leave our community or health care system and will receive the best available health care close to home right at Santiam.”
The da Vinci Xi was on display for the community on Oct. 31. Community members were welcomed to attend and meet Dr. Amanda Wagner. She hopes to book the first procedures using the robot for Nov. 6.
Meanwhile there is a contest to name the da Vinci. Winners will be announced the first week of November.
Types of surgeries that can be performed by the da Vinci include general procedures such as hernia repair, colon resectioning, esophagus/reflux procedures, appendectomies and gall bladder removals. Gynecological procedures include hysterectomies, the removal of uterine cysts and fibroids and the removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Hospital spokesman Lauren Benjamin said that this is the first robot surgical unit that the facility has deployed and called it “very exciting.”
“Larger hospitals around the area do have the da Vinci Xi,” she said, “that is why it is wonderful that we are able to provide this service to our patients in our community.”
Other hospitals in the mid-valley that use the da Vinci robot include Albany, Salem, Corvallis and Silverton. Approximately 7,000 are in use worldwide. The machine is manufactured by Intuitive Surgical in Sunnyvale, California, and costs approximately $2 million.
Santiam Hospital officials did not reveal the cost of their unit.
