WellStar Kennestone Hospital has been designated as an Robotic Epicenter by Intuitive Surgical Inc., the maker the daVinci Si Surgical System, for gynecological surgery because of its commitment to excellence in robotic surgery. Kennestone is one of only 21 hospitals in the country to earn this designation and becomes a destination for surgeons from around the country to observe and learn robot-assisted gynecological procedures.
“Becoming a Robotic Surgery Epicenter to train visiting physicians was an objective when we launched our program in 2007,” said Candice Saunders, executive vice president and WellStar Kennestone Hospital administrator.
Physicians from around the country will come to Kennestone to observe Gerald Feuer, M.D., of Southeastern Gynecologic Oncology, LLC, who is one of 23 Epicenter surgeons in the nation. Dr. Feuer, an innovator in robotic surgery, performs more robot-assisted surgery for gynecologic cancer than any other surgeon in the United States and has worked closely with WellStar to build a physician and staff training program. Because of the benefits offered by robotic surgery, it has the potential to make certain “open,” or abdominal, gynecologic surgeries obsolete, Feuer said.
Surgical robots at WellStar Kennestone and WellStar Cobb Hospitals are used to assist surgeons in general surgery, gynecologic, urologic and cardiac procedures. Advantages of robotic surgery are numerous and include: less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to normal activities. The da Vinci Si Surgical System allows the surgeon to perform delicate operations by providing better visualization, precision, dexterity and improved access to hard-to-reach areas.
