Health + Hospitals/Kings County says it has enhanced its surgical capabilities with the acquisition of the highly advanced da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, which it shared with the community recently through demonstrations.
“The new da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is expected to expand surgical care and improve patient outcomes and experience at the hospital,” the hospital said in a statement.
Demonstrated to the community at the hospital’s inaugural Robot Day, the system is an innovative robotic technology that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive and complex surgical procedures with precision and dexterity, using smaller surgical incisions, reducing blood loss and the need for transfusion, and accelerating recovery time.
According to Kings County Hospital, the da Vinci Robot® has four interactive arms, a high-definition 3D vision system and an ergonomically designed console that allows surgeons to sit while operating.
“This state-of-the-art equipment allows surgeons to operate in harder-to-access places during operation,” the hospital said. “The technology has the power to scale hand movements, eliminating normal human tremors or shaking during surgery, which is an important improvement over traditional surgery.”
While the term “robot” can be confusing, because some robots act autonomously, Kings County Hospital said the da Vinci Robot® is operated by a trained surgeon, who is in control at all times.
“Acquiring the da Vinci Robot System® at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County modernizes the quality care we provide our patients every day,” said Sheldon P. McLeod, the hospital’s chief executive officer.
“Robotic surgery will allow our surgeons to improve both their vision of the surgical field and their surgical precision while performing complex and routine surgeries,” he added. “This advantage strengthens our commitment to providing advanced patient care to the Brooklyn community and beyond.”
In addition to being less invasive than traditional surgery, Kings County Hospital said robotic surgery allows surgeons to see patients’ tissue and organs magnified up to 10 times.
It said patients are expected to experience minimal incision scarring, shorter hospital stays, reduced pain and discomfort, less need for medication to manage pain and faster recovery times.
Major advantages for surgeons include greater visualization, enhanced agility and improved accuracy, as well as more comfort.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County said it will use the robotic system to perform a multitude of minimally invasive surgeries for complex diseases and conditions in gynecology, urology, and thoracic, general and colorectal surgery.
“I want to commend NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County CEO (chief executive officer) Sheldon McLeod and the leadership of this wonderful institution on the acquisition of the da Vinci robot,” said Councilmember Mathieu Eugene, who represents the 40th Council District in Brooklyn.
“This is a groundbreaking piece of medical technology that will transform the ability of this medical institution to provide complex surgeries on patients who are in need of urgent care,” he added. “It will also provide our doctors and surgeons with the ability to improve patient recovery rates while offering specialized medical services close to home.
“I believe that our health is truly a gift from God, and that we need to improve patient access to quality healthcare regardless of socioeconomic status,” Eugene continued. “I am honored to join NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County today as they welcome this vital resource.”
Steven Pulitzer, MD, chief medical officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, said using the da Vinci Robotic System® “allows us to bring the most innovative and comprehensive surgical care to our community.
“This advanced equipment will improve our patients’ experience at our hospital and their overall quality of life,” he said.
Andrew G. Winer, MD, chief of urology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, also said: “Our patients deserve the very best.
“Performing surgeries using the da Vinci Robotic System® is offering them the very best,” he said. “Robotic surgery is the wave of the future, and we are proud to bring this advanced surgery capability to our patients.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County said it is the third facility in the public health system to purchase a da Vinci Robotic System®.
Currently, da Vinci robotic surgery is also available at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue (in Manhattan) and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst (in Queens).
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County said the robot cost $2.1 million, including $1 million from the New York City Council, $900,000 from Councilmember Eugene and the balance from the Mayor’s office.
