Crozer Health Surgeon Performs First Procedure Using New Robotic Technology

Surgeon Sergey Zhitknikov, M.D., FACS, FASMBS, recently performed the first procedure, bariatric surgery and hernia repair, using the brand new da Vinci XI robot at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. The 63-year-old patient, with a BMI of 46, received a minimally invasive sleeve gastrectomy as well as a paraoesophageal (hiatal) hernia repair.

Robotic surgery provides patients with benefits including smaller incisions, less blood loss during surgery, fewer complications, and shorter recovery periods. Had the procedure been done with traditional surgical methods and not with the da Vinci robot, the patient may have had a longer hospital stay and a more challenging recovery.

As with all robotic surgical systems, the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted da Vinci System, which translates their hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. The Xi System’s immersive 3D-HD vision system provides surgeons a highly magnified view, virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient.

“It is much easier to operate on obese patients with the robot than laparoscopically because of mechanical robotic arms, better visualization in the limited space, and precision,” said Dr. Zhitknikov. “The patient was discharged home the next day and is recovering well.”

Crozer-Chester Medical Center surgeons will use the da Vinci XI system across a spectrum of minimally invasive procedures, and it has been optimized for gynecological, colorectal, urologic, thoracic, cardiac, bariatric, and general surgeries. Specifically, surgeons can offer robotic-assisted hernia repair, complex abdominal wall reconstruction, anti-reflux surgery, gallbladder surgery, surgery of the small and large intestine, weight-loss surgery, prostate surgery, kidney surgery, and surgery of the ovaries and uterus.

“We’re thrilled that we can offer these innovative, minimally-invasive surgical options to our patients that provide them with a more comfortable recovery,” said Judith Bachman, MSN, BSN, Crozer Health Chief Operating Officer.