Commonwealth Health Expands Robotic-Assisted Surgery Program

1/17/2019

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Jan. 17, 2019) – Commonwealth Health has expanded its capacity to perform minimally invasive surgery with the addition of two of the most technologically advanced robots.

The robots have been added to the surgical departments at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Each facility is now performing robotic-assisted surgery with two robots, increasing the number of procedures they can schedule.

Both hospitals serve as teaching centers, training surgeons from throughout the country on the latest techniques.

Robotic-assisted surgery, the most advanced form of minimally invasive surgery, is performed in all types of cases including general, bariatric, gynecologic, urologic and cardiothoracic surgery. The new robots use advanced robotic, computer and optical technologies.

During a procedure, a surgeon is stationed inside the operating room, a few feet from the patient and uses hand and foot controls to direct the robotic arms with unparalleled accuracy and precision. This allows the surgeon to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions using a magnified, three-dimensional vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand can. This allows the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision and control.

Since smaller incisions are required, the advantages may include shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, less blood, pain and scarring, and a lower risk of infection.