Robotic Surgery Milestone performing 10,000 robotic surgeries

Luke’s Baptist Hospital has surpassed a major milestone, performing 10,000 robotic surgeries, something only 50 other hospitals in the country have accomplished. To raise awareness about the benefits of this type of surgery, the hospital recently invited news media into the operating room to try the robot out themselves.

Robotic general surgeon John Metersky, MD talked with reporters about the advantages of robotic surgery and tutored them in how to operate using the robot. “The reporters showed promise,” said Metersky. “In all seriousness, I am proud of St. Luke’s for providing the equipment surgeons need to offer our patients the best surgical options. This type of surgery is not only the present, it’s the future.”

Doing robotic surgery looks a little bit like a 3-D video game. The surgeon sits at a console in the operating room and uses his or her hands and feet to manipulate the robot arms, which are positioned over the patient a few feet away. Several small incisions are made, instead of a large open incision. This type of surgery can result in smaller scars, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.

Among the robotic procedures St. Luke’s offers are: hernia repairs, colon resection, appendectomy, gallbladder removal, prostatectomy, hysterectomy, gynecological and urological cancer removal and more.