For Albany resident Diane Cox, 46, Samaritan’s timing in bringing robotic surgery to the mid-valley was just about perfect. She was diagnosed with uterine cancer and needed a hysterectomy right away. She asked about robotic surgery, because a friend of hers had had such a surgery in Portland and was pleased with the results.
“It was very comforting to learn I could have that surgery right here,” said Cox. “I really appreciated the fact that I could stay local.”
Cox’s surgeon, Jess Hickerson, MD, of Samaritan Gynecology & Surgical Associates performed the surgery Jan. 25 with the new daVinci® robotic system installed just weeks earlier at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis. After only one night in the hospital, Cox was back in her home.
“I was actually amazed by how well I felt,” said Cox, an office manager for an Albany elementary school. “That first night home I had just a little discomfort, but by the next morning, I felt nothing. I thought there would be more pain, but it was such a quick recovery. After only a week, I was back to walking and my normal routine. That was perfect, because with a husband and two teenagers, I have an active family. I needed to get right back to things.”
Less pain and less blood loss are just some of the benefits of robotic surgery, according to Hickerson. The precision it affords a surgeon is another plus.
“The daVinci system gives us 10 times the magnification of the naked eye, and the instruments allow for much more mobility than conventional laparoscopic equipment,” said Hickerson.
Hickerson and Linda Fox, MD, also with Samaritan Gynecology & Surgical Associates, Paul Daskalos, DO, of Albany Obstetrics and Gynecology and Jodell Boyle, MD, of Samaritan Obstetrics and Gynecology have trained extensively in the use of the robot. They’re agile in manipulating the three arms of the robot as they sit at the control panel, located close by the surgical bed. An assistant still sits at the bedside to help with various aspects of the surgery.
“One particular benefit of the robot is that it reduces patient trauma during the surgery,” Hickerson said. “It lessens pulling and stretching of the abdominal wall during surgery. Suturing is easier as well.”
“We see robotics as the next step in the evolution of laparoscopy,” Hickerson continued. “It’s going to expand what we are able to do with minimally invasive surgery.”
Hickerson and Fox explained that robotics will allow them to use minimally invasive surgery on patients with larger fibroids and/or a bigger uterus — conditions that previously might have required more invasive surgery. In addition to removing fibroids and doing hysterectomies, robotics will be used for vaginal suspensions, myomectomies (removal of uterine tumors), lymph node dissections and more.
To learn more about our team of surgeons and the daVinci system, click here.