Crouse Health has become the only hospital in Central New York to acquire the innovative da Vinci SP (single port) system, which provides surgeons with robotic-assisted technology designed for access to tissue in the body with greater precision and enhanced mobility, according to a hospital news release.
The da Vinci SP’s innovative design enables single port placement and optimal internal and external range of motion (e.g., 360-degrees of anatomical access and rotation) through the single SP arm. Surgeons control the fully articulating instruments and the camera on the SP system.
The SP platform allows surgeons to get inside the body in a very delicate way to perform minimally invasive surgeries that solve problems ranging from reconstructive to cancer surgery.
Currently, the new robotic system is being used for prostatectomy procedures, says Crouse Health urologist Po Lam, who has more than 17 years of experience using the da Vinci robotic technology.
“The ability to enter the body through a single, small incision helps surgeons perform procedures in a less invasive way, helping to reduce trauma and discomfort to the patient,” said Lam.
“This advancement in robotic surgery allows for a unique option to prostate removal in patients with previous abdominal surgery. Not only do patients not need to worry about previous scar tissue, the SP approach eliminates the risks of bowel injury.”
Other patient benefits making for an all-around improved patient experience include faster recovery, reduced risk of infection and shorter hospitalization, according to Lam.
Since its inception in 2008, Crouse Health’s robotic surgery program has grown to become the region’s largest multispecialty robotic surgery program, performing more than 1,900 procedures in 2021, according to the hospital.
With seven surgical robots and 25 surgical specialists supporting the program, specialty areas include general surgery; bariatric; colorectal; GYN oncology; gynecology; thoracic and urology.
“We are proud of the program we have built in collaboration with many of the region’s top surgeons and look forward to utilizing this innovative technology to continue to improve patient outcomes,” said Crouse Chief Medical Officer and Chief Operating Officer Seth Kronenberg, a physician.