da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgery system
At Spire Healthcare, we offer advanced robotic technology that allows surgeons to perform a wide range of complex procedures with greater precision, flexibility and control - which may result in a quicker recovery time and lower risk of complications.
Precision surgery with the da Vinci® surgical system
Our experienced consultants can offer you more precise and personalised care thanks to advanced robotic-assisted procedures.
Robotic-assisted procedures have been performed for over 20 years and the da Vinci® surgical system is the latest innovation in the field of minimally invasive surgery It's used for across a range of surgical specialties, including urological, gynaecology and general surgery.
With personalised surgical plans, high-definition visualisations, smaller cuts (incisions) and accurate surgical movements, if your surgeon performs your procedure using the da Vinci® system, you may be less likely to experience complications during your procedure and more likely to experience lower pain levels during your recovery. This could lead to better outcomes and a quicker road to recovery.
What is robotic surgery?
Robotic surgery is more accurately referred to as robotic-assisted surgery. This is because the surgery is still performed by an experienced surgeon. However, instead of the surgeon holding the instruments, the instruments are held by robotic arms, which along with the 3D camera system are carefully controlled by the surgeon who is sitting at a special console.
Robotic-assisted surgery is performed through small cuts to be made into the body and is, therefore, considered minimally invasive surgery. In some cases, robotic-assisted surgery allows better access to difficult-to-reach parts of the body.
The robotic arms not only hold the surgical instruments but also a high-definition camera. This allows the surgeon to see a more detailed, magnified view of the area being operated on. The surgeon can then make the appropriate movements to perform the surgery, which are precisely replicated by the robotic arms.
Robot-assisted surgery, therefore, reduces the risk of complications, resulting in faster recovery times and improved outcomes.
How is the da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical system used?
The da Vinci® surgical system is used for many procedures including removal of the prostate (prostatectomy), kidney (nephrectomy), part of the bladder (partial cystectomy) or blockages in the ureter (pyeloplasty). It can also be used in hernia surgery, hemicolectomy, hysterectomy and fibroid removal as well as many others.
The system comes in three parts: a patient cart, surgeon console, and vision cart.
The patient cart is positioned next to the operating table and comprises four robotic arms: one arm holds a high-definition 3D camera and the other three arms hold the surgical instruments.
These robotic arms precisely mimic the movements made by your surgeon but with a greater range of movement than possible with human hands and wrists. Also, thanks to special technology, the robotic arms filter out any shakes in your surgeon’s hands to ensure smoother movements.
The surgeon console is also located in the operating room and is where your surgeon will sit to control the surgical instruments. It has a wraparound screen that your surgeon will use to view real-time, high-definition, magnified 3D images of the area being operated on.
Your surgeon will make a small cut through which they will insert the 3D camera and guide it to the appropriate position to get an immersive view of the area to be operated on. This provides a magnified view of the site than possible with human eyes alone.
The vision cart allows the different parts of the da Vinci® Xi system to communicate with each other and transmit real-time images to your surgeon.
The da Vinci® robotic system
With the da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical system, you may benefit from:
- Smaller cuts (incisions) that mean less scarring1
- Fewer complications including reduced blood loss2
- A speedier recovery and reduced pain after surgery3
What are the potential benefits of da Vinci® surgery?
Smaller cuts
Using the da Vinci® system, surgeons can perform delicate and complex operations through a few small incisions. This may result in less trauma to your body during surgery and results in smaller scars and reduced pain after surgery.
Greater precision
The technology behind the da Vinci® system means you will benefit from the expertise of your surgeon but with the precision delivered by the system’s robotic arms. These arms precisely replicate your surgeon’s hand and wrist movements but offer a greater range of movement and filter out any shakes in your surgeon’s hands for smoother, more exacting motions.
Fewer complications
Evidence shows that shows that patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery with a da Vinci® surgical system may experience reduced post-operative complications and mortality, and fewer blood transfusions.
A speedier recovery
Using the da Vinci® system surgeons can perform complex surgical procedures with smaller incisions compared to non-robotic surgery. This means your body may heal faster and you may be in less pain after surgery. Consequently, your hospital stay and recovery time may be shorter.
Improved outcomes
Using the advanced technology of the da Vinci® system, your surgery may be less invasive and you may be less likely to encounter complications, and you may experience improved surgical outcomes and a quicker return to your usual activities.
What to expect if you choose the da Vinci surgical system
Your surgeon will develop a personalised surgical plan for your procedure based on detailed imaging, such as CT scans or MRI scans, taken of the area to be operated on.
Your surgeon will use sensitive hand controls and foot pedals to control the robotic arms of the da Vinci® Xi system, while viewing high-definition, 3D images transmitted from the 3D camera inserted at the start of your procedure.
Using real-time feedback, your surgeon's movements will be precisely mimicked by the robotic arms with any hand shakes automatically filtered out. This ensures accurate removal of the target tissue.
Working alongside your surgeon, our team of nurses and physiotherapists will help you recover as quickly as possible from the moment you leave surgery to after you have been discharged home. They will provide you with detailed aftercare advice and instructions and schedule your follow-up appointment to check on your progress.
Why choose Spire Healthcare for robotic-assisted surgery?
When you choose Spire Healthcare, you can look forward to fast access to the diagnostic tests and treatments you need, alongside personalised care from our experienced consultants who are experts in their fields and recognised as such at both national and international levels.
Our consultants’ dedication to staying at the forefront of medical care and providing patients with the best possible outcomes is why we continue to invest in the very latest in medical technology. This includes innovations such as robotic-assisted surgery, whether that is Mako for orthopaedic procedures or the da Vinci® Xi system for urological procedures.
Our goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients through outstanding healthcare. This is why 98% of our patients are likely to recommend us to their family and friends and why 98% of our inspected hospitals and clinics are rated "Good" or "Outstanding" by health inspectors in England, Scotland and Wales.
Whatever treatment you need, you can rest assured that your Spire Healthcare care team will answer all of your questions and ensure you feel comfortable and confident with the care you will receive. What’s more, with our clear, inclusive pricing and flexible payment options to help you spread the cost, it is now easier for you to access our award-winning care.
Which Spire Healthcare hospitals offer robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci® Xi system?
The da Vinci® surgical system is a cutting-edge technology that Spire Healthcare endeavours to make accessible to as many people as possible. This is why you will find the da Vinci® surgical system is available at Spire hospitals that span the length and breadth of the UK including:
- Spire Edinburgh Hospitals
- Spire Murrayfield, Wirral Hospital (launching Spring 2025)
- Spire St Anthony’s Hospital, Surrey
- Spire Southampton Hospital
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About the da Vinci® surgical system
Robotic-assisted procedures have been carried out for over 20 years. The da Vinci® surgical system is the latest iteration of this advancing technology, and it is currently the most widely used multiport robotic surgery system in the world.
Over 16.9 million robotic-assisted procedures have been carried out using da Vinci® systems, and da Vinci® surgeries have been peer-reviewed in over 38,000 articles.
https://www.intuitive.com/en-gb/products-and-services/da-vinci
1.Robotic-assisted surgery has the advantage of minimal tissue trauma and thus forms minimal scar. The utilisation of surgical robots reduces the occurrence of complications after oral radical tumour resection while achieving cosmetic sutures (Wang et al)
Postoperative results confirmed that surgical robotic mastectomy significantly reduced scar formation. (Wang et al)
As robotic surgery involves smaller incisions, patients experience less pain, reduced risk of infection, minimal scarring, and shorter hospital stays (Johansson et al)
2. da Vinci cases were 10 percent less likely to experience 30-day postoperative complications versus laparoscopy; 44 percent versus open (Annals of Surgery).
3. Compared to patients who underwent robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy, those who underwent the traditional procedure had higher visual analog scale pain scores (3.1 ± 1.5 vs. 4.6 ± 2.4, respectively) and used more narcotics (27.5 vs. 35.4 mg hydrocodone, respectively).” (Betcher et al)
da Vinci cases saw a half-day savings in hospital stay compared to laparoscopy and 1.9 days compared to open” (Annals of Surgery).
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Spire Healthcare does not endorse one medical product or device over another. Robotic arm-assisted surgery may not be suitable for some patients. Your consultant will help you decide which treatment is best for you.