Robotic Surgery

When you come to Augusta University Health for a robotic procedure, you can have confidence knowing you are being treated by the largest, most experienced, team of specialized surgeons in the area. We offer:

• A high-volume surgery center: Studies show improved outcomes for patients who are treated at high-volume centers with experienced surgeons.
• Progressive surgeons: We have physicians who helped pioneer robotic surgical techniques. We also provide the area’s only robotic simulation module that allows surgeons to fine-tune their surgical skills.
• Advanced procedures: We perform advanced procedures not available at other area facilities. These include removing the bladder for bladder cancer, salvage prostatectomy when prostate cancer recurs after radiation therapy, and the "facelift" thyroidectomy which eliminates neck scarring.  
• Imaging technology: Our hospital is the only one in the area that uses Firefly Fluorescence Imaging Technology. Firefly allows our surgeons to distinguish normal tissue from cancerous, operating with greater precision, helping avoid the possibility of having future surgeries.
• Multidisciplinary care: As a patient at Augusta University Health, you have access to the largest team of specialists, all on one campus.

Academic Advantage

As a patient in an academic health center, you get the highest standard of care because you are being treated by surgeons with the expertise to train the next generation of surgeons. Our surgeons attend national and international conferences, continuously learning about the newest technology and the latest standards of care.

The da Vinci surgical system is made up of precision tools designed for complex and delicate surgeries, it includes:

• a patient side cart
• a surgeon's console
• an advanced vision system with a high-resolution 3-D endoscopic camera
• Robotic EndoWrist Instruments with flexible joints to enhace the natural range of motion of the human hand, reduce tremors and scale motions to refine the surgeon's movements

What Happens During Robotic Surgery

The surgeon takes a seat at the surgeon's console. Using the advanced vision system, the surgeon sees a clear, detailed picture of the surgical field while sitting upright and comfortable, reducing fatigue.  

The surgeon inserts the robotic instruments and endoscope, or small camera, inside the patient's body through a series of small incisions.  

From the console, the surgeon maneuvers the robotic arms that hold the instruments and endoscope. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into precise real-time movements of the surgical instruments.

Patients generally stay one night in the hospital and return to normal activities much more quickly than after traditional surgeries.

Benefits of da Vinci Robotic Surgery

The system provides surgeons with the range of motion, fine tissue manipulation capability and 3-D visualization characteristic of open surgery, yet allows them to work through tiny incisions used in minimally invasive surgeries.

Benefits to patients include: 

• less pain
• less blood loss
• less scarring
• shorter recoveries
• faster return to normal daily activities 
• in many cases, better clinical outcomes

Learn more about the da Vinci surgical system 

We offer robotic surgical procedures in the following specialties:

Gynecology and Urogynecology

• Hysterectomy
• Myomectomy
• Burch procedure
• Sacrocolpopexy

GYN oncology

• Hysterectomy
• Salpingo-oophorectomy (ovary and fallopian tube removal)
• Exploratory laparotomy / Staging ovarian cancer
• Syed Implants

Otolaryngology and skull base surgery

• Transoral robotic surgery

Thyroid

• Facelift thyroidectomy

Urology/urologic oncology

• Adrenalectomy
• Radical cystectomy
• Prostatectomy
• Salvage prostatectomy
• Ureterolysis with omental wrap
• Pyeloplasty
• Nephroureterectomy
• Nephrectomy