Hawkesbury private patients will now have access to cutting edge surgical technology when the Da Vinci robot fires up for the first time at Nepean Private hospital today.
In collaboration with the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District the robot will save patients having to travel for the best surgical interventions.
It will be available to public patients as well but they will be on a waiting list.
The new technology has been available in Australia for years, but not in the local area.
Directly controlled by the surgeon, the robot uses magnified 3D high definition vision technology which provides movement and access that is superior to the human hand. The robot will be used for urology procedures and may be used for gynaecological operations in the future.
Surgeon professor Mohamed Khodra will be operating the robot and said it is extremely beneficial to patients because it provides better surgery outcomes and results in less recovery time.
‘‘The enhanced accuracy and control will allow surgical incision to be smaller and cause less scarring,’’ Professor Khodra.
‘‘Patients will be able to leave overnight after their procedure instead of staying in the hospital for three to five days. This technological advancement will help reduce blood loss, tissue and nerve damage and post-operative pain.’’
General manager of Nepean Private, Alex Demidov, said the introduction of the technology was an exciting development for the hospital, its patients and the local and wider community.
‘‘As the only robot of its kind in the region, the new technology is cost-effective for the hospital and its patients,’’ Mr Demidov said.
