NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL LEADS THE WAY
IN ROBOTIC SURGERY IN GEORGIA
The 21st Century is well underway and in health care that means new technological advancements around every corner. One of the biggest advancements in recent years is the growth of robotic surgery.
A leader in providing state-of-the-art surgical services, more surgeries are performed at Northside Hospital than any other hospital in Georgia. As such, Northside also leads the state in robotic surgery – performing more robotic procedures including prostatectomy and hysterectomy than any other Georgia hospital. Northside views robotic technology as having great potential for minimally invasive procedures in a growing range of specialties – having also recently played host to the state’s first robotic-assisted bladder removal and the first robotic-assisted pyeloplasty (kidney reconstruction).
Robotic surgery is a high priority at Northside because these procedures lead to faster recovery, less blood loss and better patient outcomes. It allows physicians greater range of motion and the ability to operate with increased precision and versatility. It also offers better visualization of the surgical area than traditional open or laparoscopic surgery due to magnification and improved depth perception.
“The technology allows us to see at extra angles – to look over mountains and reach around corners – and to treat the patient with pinpoint accuracy,” said Dr. Scott Miller, urologist on staff at Northside Hospital and former Chief of Surgery at Northside Hospital-Forsyth.
Northside Hospital-Atlanta was the second hospital in Georgia to acquire the state-of-the-art daVinci™ Surgical System. Used for urologic, gynecologic and thoracic surgery procedures, daVinci uses computer-assisted robotics technology, enabling surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures, while preserving and improving the visualization techniques of open surgery. Patients benefit from smaller incisions, reduced recovery time and shorter hospital stays.
Many of the surgeons on staff at Northside are pioneers in laparoscopic surgery and are nationally recognized for their expertise in this and other minimally invasive techniques available at Northside Hospital.
“This technology does not replace a surgeon’s skills,” said Dr. Ceana Nezhat, gynecologist. “It improves what we do and allows us to stay at the forefront of the medical field.”
“It’s like having three hands,” said Dr. Zachary Voeltz, urologist. “I don’t have to communicate as many instructions to my assistant and I can concentrate more on the procedure.”
Northside Hospital offers robotic-assisted surgery at its Atlanta and Cherokee campuses.
In 2006/07, in the National Research Corporation’s annually conducted Healthcare Market Guide study, consumers ranked Northside Hospital number one in Most Personalized Care and Outpatient/Same Day Surgery in the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area. Surgeons on staff at Northside Hospital perform more than 35,000 surgical cases annually for outpatients and inpatients in multiple, specialized operating room suites. New advances in surgical technology allow us to stay at the forefront of the medical field and devote more time to providing the best patient care possible.
For more information about Northside Hospital’s surgical services or for a free physician referral, call 404-845-5555.
Please visit our Robotic Surgery Center for more information.
