Virtua Health surgeons have performed more than 43,000 robotic-assisted operations since 2006, including hernia repairs and colorectal surgery.
Marlton-based Virtua Health has embraced robotic-assisted surgery to improve patient outcomes for nearly 20 years, becoming a top provider for dozens of procedures both locally and nationally.
Virtua’s robotic-surgery offerings are highly precise, minimally invasive techniques that can enable faster recovery, less pain after surgery and fewer complications, among other advantages.
“Virtua is a regional and national leader in robotic-assisted surgery,” said Dr. John Matsinger, executive vice president and COO of the health system. “Nationally, we are among the centers doing the highest percentage of surgeries robotically, more than 80% of all surgeries, and more than 90% of our joint-replacement surgeries.
“We know it works really well for patients, so we’re committed to it.”
Virtua has performed more than 43,000 robotic-assisted operations since 2006, including hernia repairs, hip and knee replacements and colorectal surgery.
“That depth and breadth of experience makes a difference,” Matsinger noted. “Our robotic-assisted surgeons and teams do these procedures every day, so they are truly experts at using the technology. That means better outcomes, including less time in surgery and under anesthesia.”
“Robotic assistance makes me a better surgeon,” explained Dr. Jeremy Reid, a Virtua joint-replacement specialist. “I’m able to execute the plan for that patient with greater precision every time.”
In a robotic-assisted operation on soft tissue, the surgeon maneuvers tiny surgical instruments via highly- precise hand controls on a special console and views the surgical site on a high-definition, 3D-magnified screen via a tiny camera inside the body. The robotic equipment enables greater flexibility and precision than with traditional surgery and very small incisions.
For robotic joint replacement, the surgical team uses special software to create a 3D model of the patient’s hip or knee, then controls a robotic arm and computer navigation to perform the procedure, using the model as a guide. The robotic tools – combined with enhanced views of the surgery and sensory feedback – enable greater precision.
“Robotic-assisted joint-replacement patients often feel better faster,” Reid said. “They have a shorter period of inflammation and they tend to gain strength and confidence faster in all activities of daily living – standing, walking, climbing stairs and getting back to active sports.”
Virtua’s 70-plus robotic surgeons conduct more than 5,500 procedures a year across 10 specialties, using 22 next-generation robotic surgical systems. They work with both internal and external partners to advance health through the surgery and also consult with robotic device manufacturers to meet patient needs, including flexible arrangements that quickly provide additional robotic equipment when needed.
Robotic joint-surgery patients can often choose the convenience of an outpatient procedure at a surgery center rather than a hospital stay.
“This is one of our hidden gems,” Matsinger said. ” … The bottom line is that we’re maximizing our robotic capabilities to help make great surgeons even better, so they can do best by our patients.”
To learn more, visit Virtua.org/RoboticSurgery.
