mizes the risk of hernia repairs
because he can dissect in areas he
couldn't approach with a standard
laparoscope. Plus, because he's
able to do robotic hernia repairs
in just 30 minutes, he can perform
up to 6 cases per day.
Dr. Heffner believes robots will
be used more in the general sur-
gery arena because, "The technol-
ogy lets surgeons perform open
surgery from the inside, and we
never had the ability to do that
before."
The increased precision afforded
by robotics will eventually help
expand the technology's use to
colon procedures, gastric surgeries, stomach surgeries and larger
abdominal cases within the next few years — possibly even in the
outpatient setting.
• Joint replacement. Orthopedics is seeing similar advances thanks
to surgical robots. Rather than viewing orthopedic robots as a passing
fad, more companies are starting to realize the interest is growing
among surgeons to have a robot in their armamentarium. "All the
major industry players will likely offer robotic platforms within the
next 5 years," says Joseph Nessler, MD, a surgeon at St. Cloud (Minn.)
Orthopedics. "That increased competition will help drive down start-
up costs."
One key orthopedic procedure that's been enhanced by robots is par-
tial knee replacements. Surgeons often opt to do total knee arthroplas-
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 1
• A BOT'S TIME Spine surgeons Jed Vanichkachorn, MD, and
Thomas Scioscia, MD, recently started working with a spine
robot to perform lumbar fusions.
Bon
Secours
Richmond
Health
System
