da Vinci® Surgical System

The da Vinci Xi is latest development in robotic surgery

and is the fourth generation and most advanced robotics system currently available for bariatric surgery. The da Vinci Xi robot allows surgeons to perform general surgery and minimally invasive gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery without fully opening up the abdomen, reducing risk to the patient and improving patient outcomes.

How is bariatric robotic surgery performed?

It is a common misconception that robotic surgery is autonomous, run by the computer alone. In reality, robotic surgery is performed by surgeons who have been specially trained to operate the robotic surgical system. During robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon will make a few small incisions, and use a 3D high-definition camera for a crystal-clear, magnified view of the surgical area. The surgeon is seated at a console next to the patient, and operates through the incisions, using a camera and tiny instruments.

Watch the da Vinci® System peel a grape using robotic technology below.
This demonstrates the precision and control at a surgeon's fingertips during a minimally invasive da Vinci Surgery procedure.

What are the benefits of robotic bariatric surgery?

Traditional, laparoscopic bariatric surgery is effective, yet robot-assisted surgery provides the surgeon with more control and precision during the procedure. As robotic surgery technology is continually improving the risk of problems and complications both during and after surgery may be reduced.

While robotic surgery does not completely eliminate the risk of complications, a review of published studies suggests a potentially lower rate of complications in patients who have robotic surgery compared to laparoscopic surgery. Patients may also experience a shorter hospital stay than patients who had laparoscopic surgery, with less pain, which can be a factor in a patient’s long-term outcomes.

How common is robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci surgical system?

Over the last 20 years, more than six million patients have undergone robotic-assisted surgery across a variety of procedures. Surgeons choose this approach for its precision and the vision it can provide during the surgery. Because the da Vinci equipment is only available at the top tier of hospitals throughout the country, there are only a select group of bariatric surgeons in the U.S. with the credentials to operate the da Vinci Xi robot. To stay at the leading edge of bariatric surgery, Nicholson Clinic is proud to offer this new, safe and effective technique to our patients.