Kettering Medical Center celebrates milestone in robotic surgery

Story by Elizabeth Long

Dr. Heather Pulaski, a Kettering Physician Network gynecologic oncologist, recently performed the 5000th da Vinci® Surgical System procedure at Kettering Adventist HealthCare's Kettering Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.

The da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system is a minimally invasive surgical option as it allows surgeon to operate through a few small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery involves less cutting, which means less pain and less recovery time. Other patient benefits include:

• A faster return to normal daily activities
• In many cases, better clinical outcomes
• Less blood loss
• Less scarring

The da Vinci includes a magnified, high-definition, 3D vision system as well as tiny instruments that bend and rotate to mimic and miniaturize the surgeons actual finger, hand and wrist motions, allowing for enhanced precision and control.

Besides Kettering Medical Center, surgeons at Kettering Health Network use the da Vinci System at Soin Medical Center for the following:

• General surgery
• Colorectal procedures
• Urologic and gynecologic procedures
• Thoracic surgery
• Gynecologic and surgical oncology