RAPID CITY, SD — Monument Health has begun roll out of a newly acquired medical system set to begin use early this month at Monument’s Same Day Surgical Center.
The da Vinci 5 is one of the most advanced robotic surgical systems on the market, and is a first for Rapid City Hospitals, allowing surgeons to perform surgeries at a scale and level of accuracy and stability not possible with human hands, and within the local area. Practically speaking, this means smaller incisions, less pain in recovery, and faster recovery overall– and The da Vinci 5, according to Executive Director Beth Nelson, provides haptic feedback and analysis in order to allow surgeons a greater sense of control and to allow them to improve their skills for greater efficiency and safety of patients, as well as allowing “Telesurgery”, giving specialists outside of the local area the opportunity to give care to patients.
“This is significant because we are the first facility in western South Dakota to offer the da Vinci 5 system. For patients and families across our region, that means they no longer have to travel several hours to Sioux Falls or larger metropolitan hospitals to receive this level of care,” said Nelson, who went on to say that the da Vinci 5 would see use making procedures available already at the Same Day Center more efficient, and will also increase the scope of procedures available as well, “including general surgery procedures like colon resection and bariatrics, and certain urologic procedures including prostatectomy”.
The reaction from those who are going to be using the system though? According to Nelson, response from surgeons who have been training with the new system has been highly positive. ”They’re excited about the improved visualization and refined controls, which can make complex procedures even safer and more efficient. We’re eager to see the positive impact this will have on our patients starting this month”.
