The future is here - Robotic Medical Services!

What is the da Vinci® Surgical System?

The daVinci® Surgical System is the most advanced robotic surgical system commonly used worldwide. The system is controlled by the surgeon and is equipped with four interactive arms - a camera arm and three surgical arms - possessing the maximum level of freedom of movement and better mobility than the human arm. These arms are inserted into the surgical cavity in the body through a few tiny incisions, granting the surgeon not only with additional surgical hands, but also improved movement and dexterity compared to standard surgery. The surgeon performs the operation from his workstation, which is near the patient, and from here he can use the surgical arms and have control over all the procedures in the operating room. The robot has FDA and AMR (approved medical device) approval and has been used for surgeries worldwide on a daily basis for over 13 years.

In what cases is the da Vinci® Surgical System used?

In many cases the surgeons are forced to operate in less than optimal conditions: a surgical area with limited access, a small cavity, a limited field of view, complicated suturing, and separation of tissues requiring the utmost delicacy. In the case of large and complicated operations, a high level of dexterity is required while simultaneously using a number of instruments. Using the da Vinci® robotic system in these cases makes for a much easier surgery with a lower rate of complications. The robot is operated by professional specialist surgeons who have undergone advanced studies in the leading robotics centers in the world and they are highly familiar with the device.

What is the difference between surgery with a robot and a standard operation?

The majority of operations in the pre-robotics era were performed as open surgery or laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery), using arms inserted into the patient’s body, and manually activated by the surgeon. Robotic surgery not only reduces the size of incisions made in the patient’s body, but also enables the surgeon to reach areas he could not access in a standard operation, which in fact enhances and highly increases his degree of capabilities.

Prostate surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System

The most common robotic surgery performed is a radical prostatectomy, involving resection of the prostate due to a cancerous growth. This surgery, which was performed in the past through an external incision, is currently performed through 4-6 small incisions required for inserting the robotic arms using a laparoscopic approach. Using the robotic system for this type of surgery allows for increased precision of the surgeon’s actions thereby reducing the rate and severity of complications, and improving the chances for sexual rehabilitation and urinary incontinence control. For these reasons, the majority of radical prostatectomy surgeries worldwide are performed with this type of robotic surgical system.

The advantages of robotic prostatectomy surgery:

◾Reducing the likelihood of sexual function impairment

◾Only small scars remaining on the body

◾Less blood loss

◾Shorter time using a catheter

◾Lower risk of developing infections

◾Faster recovery

Additional robotic procedures

At Shamir Medical Center, the da Vinci® Surgical System is used for additional procedures including:

◾Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and oncological hysterectomy
◾Myomectomy (removal of uterine fibroids)
◾Partial nephrectomy (partial removal of the kidney)
◾Thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland)

The advantages of using the device

◾The robotic system grants the surgeon with the maximum level of freedom and greater mobility, thereby allowing him to make movements that the human arm cannot perform.
◾The robotic arm is stronger and steadier than the human arm.
◾The picture transferred from the camera to the surgeon is a three dimensional enlarged image, which facilitates location and treatment of the disease.
◾The surgical process is less invasive than a standard procedure, since the incisions made in the abdominal wall are significantly smaller than those used in standard surgery.
◾The recovery period is faster with fewer hospitalization days.
◾There is minimal bleeding from the surgical area with an extremely short recovery time.

About Shamir Medical Center

Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, the third largest government hospital in Israel, is a university-affiliated hospital and serves the inhabitants of Rishon le Zion, Ramla and Lod, as well as all small settlements in the center of the country. The hospital has out-patient clinics, emergency rooms, hospitalization departments and maternity wards as well as dozens of departments, institutes, clinics and laboratories in every medical sub-specialty. The personal treatment and commitment to diagnosis and the highest standard of medical care is provided by 3,400 doctors, researchers, paramedical professionals, nursing staff and an administration team all working together to provide professional and courteous service to all patients arriving at the medical center from around the world.

Contact details

Telephone for making appointments: 972-8-9779177, 972-57-7346871 (phone calls can be made between 08:00 and 15:30 Israel time)
Email for receiving detailed information: otip@asaf.health.gov.il