Wellstar Cobb First at Wellstar to Offer Latest Advancement in Robotic Surgery
Wellstar Cobb Medical Center
is no stranger to using robotics in surgery yet a new system has catapulted its robotic capabilities to the next level.
Wellstar Cobb is the first hospital in the health system to offer a first-of-its-kind surgical technology through the new Da Vinci 5 robot (DV5), with surgeons
Dr. Julie Chang
and
Dr. Stephen Odom
performing the hospital’s inaugural procedures using the DV5 for
gynecologic
and
general surgery.
The DV5 robot allows physicians to sense how much push-or-pull force they apply during surgeries, giving them greater control and data as they delicately maneuver the tips of the instrument. Wellstar Cobb is among the first hospitals in the metro Atlanta area with this innovative technology.
“The ability to sense hard and soft tissue during robotic surgeries is a game changer,” said Dr. Chang, a specialist in
obstetrics and gynecology
and the first surgeon to use the new DV5 robot at Wellstar Cobb. “Surgeries will be even more precise and efficient with this tool, which will further reduce post-operative pain and make recovery time faster.”
Surgeons can apply up to 43% less force on tissue by relying on the robot’s Force Feedback technology, according to preclinical data from Intuitive, the maker of the DV5 system. When using DV5, surgeons also benefit from improved dexterity and ergonomics, better 3D images and a wider range of motion compared to prior models.
This increase in precision and flexibility will help patients experience less blood loss and scarring, have lower risks of complications and spend less time in the hospital.
“We are committed to providing the highest standard of care—not only by building strong teams, but also by embracing cutting-edge technology,” said Eliese Bernard, president of Wellstar Cobb. “We are thrilled to offer this latest advancement to our patients and be among the first hospitals in the state to do so.”
The new system will primarily benefit general surgery,
urology
and gynecology patients. DV5 will assist with procedures ranging from repairing a hernia to more complex surgeries.
Wellstar Cobb has performed over 10,000 robotic surgeries, with 1,500 of those procedures occurring last year alone. With the help of various Da Vinci models, the hospital’s 30 robotic surgeons apply their expertise to general surgery, gynecology, urology, colorectal and bariatrics.
Their skill with robotic technology offers patients better outcomes, including during laparoscopies—during which surgeons insert a camera through a small incision, limiting the procedure's invasiveness. For instance, only 0.2% of Dr. Chang’s laparoscopies for benign hysterectomies have escalated to open surgeries, which require larger incisions and longer recovery times. By committing to high surgical standards, Wellstar Cobb physicians minimize patient complications and readmissions.
“Wellstar Cobb continues to lead the way in robotic surgeries,” said Dr. Jody Hughes, chief medical officer at Wellstar Cobb. “Not only do we offer best-in-class services through technology like the DV5, but we also support other communities by helping train the next generation of elite robotic surgeons.”
Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center
has also acquired its own Da Vinci 5 Robot.
Learn more about robotic surgery at Wellstar.
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