Introducing the latest in robotic surgery technology at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center
by David Lozano, Banner Health – Earned Media Senior Manager
A few years ago, we introduced robotic surgery at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. At the time, the da Vinci Si Surgical System offered the latest and greatest in surgical technology. It served us extremely well during the past two years – offering patients in our nearby communities advanced technology that included:
- 3D, HD visualization with up to 10-times magnification
- Instrumentation with range of motion far greater than the human hand
- Technology that replicates the experience of open surgery by preserving natural eye-hand-instrument alignment
What if I told you that we now have technology that’s new and improved? How can you improve on something that was already great? Well, we did! Banner Casa Grande recently welcomed a new robot – the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, now being offered at the hospital. We recently completed our first several successful surgeries, and like the previous robot, plan to offer residents the latest in minimally- invasive surgical technology.
So what does this all mean? Like the previous robot, the new da Vinci Xi Surgical System provides patients with fewer incisions to the body – hence the term “minimally invasive.” According to the manufacturer, studies with the da Vinci Surgical System have shown benefits including:
- Shorter hospital stays
- Less blood loss
- Fewer complications
- Less need for narcotic pain medication
- Faster recovery
- Less scarring because of smaller incisions
The particular system is also used at several other Banner facilities in Arizona and Colorado. In Arizona, other facilities include Banner Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, and Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.
“Robotic surgery has proven to be beneficial to many patients we treat here at Banner Casa Grande,” said general surgeon Dr. Ramon Mourelo. “It’s amazing that a community of our size is able to take advantage of this technology. This robot is being offered at many of Banner’s larger hospitals in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Fortunately, our residents don’t have to travel far to receive the benefits of robotic surgery, since they can get it here right in their own backyard.”
The da Vinci Xi system uses four robotic arms that provide surgeons with greater precision, control and access to areas that are otherwise hard to reach. Surgeons control the movements of the arms, performing complex surgeries with only a few small incisions. The robotic arms include mechanical wrists that bend and rotate in ways similar to the movements of a human wrist.
This technology can be used across a wide spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures, and is used for complex surgeries that treat multiple issues. This includes complex diseases and conditions in colon and rectal surgery, gynecology, urology and thoracic and general surgery.
“It’s exciting how far we’ve come with advanced technology at this hospital in such a short time,” said Rona Curphy, CEO of Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. “When you look at where we were several years ago, and where we are today, it’s astounding to think that we really are able to offer so many of these high-quality, state-of-the-art services to our residents. We truly care about the health and well-being of those we serve. Our doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers are passionate about the lives they help save every day.”
For more information about robotic surgery at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center, please visit www.BannerHealth.com/casagrande. Please remember that serious complications may occur with any surgery, so it’s important you consult with your doctor to decide if robotic surgery is right for you.
