da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System

da Vinci^® Robotic Surgery at Mercy Health Saint Mary's

Mercy Health Saint Mary's and Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center are equipped with two state-of-the-art da Vinci^® Surgical Systems, a minimally invasive robotic technology that is significantly changing the way surgery is performed. The da Vinci allows our surgical oncologists to remove prostate, gynecologic, thoracic and gastrointestinal cancers with unmatched precision. We are also expanding the uses of the da Vinci to include surgeries for thoracic cancers, urologic-gynecology and benign gynecologic issues.

By using this system the surgeon need only create tiny openings to insert instruments, as opposed to the 3 to 8 inch incisions typically created for more traditional open surgery. In addition, the surgeon has the ability to see vital organs more clearly, as well as control each stroke of the da Vinci micro-instruments while performing complex oncologic procedures. This revolutionary technology makes the need for more invasive surgeries unnecessary.

For most patients, da Vinci offers numerous potential benefits over traditional open surgeries including:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and transfusions
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to normal activities

Mercy Health Saint Mary's is the only hospital in West Michigan with two da Vinci Surgical Systems. Our physicians lead the region in the number of robotic-assisted surgeries performed. Since April 2007, over 3,700 surgeries have been performed with the da Vinci Surgical System.

Ask your physician for a referral to Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center. For more information about robotic surgery, call 1-877-LACKS-MI or 616-752-LACK(S).