The “da Vinci Xi” surgical robot from the Weilheim-Schongau hospital has also been used in gynecology since the beginning of January.
However, this should not remain the last area in which state-of-the-art technology is used.
District - "It was fascinating to work with the robot after the appropriate training," says Dr.
Nuray Cimin-Bredée, chief doctor of gynecology in Weilheim.
The robot enables a better view of the abdomen than with laparoscopy, i.e. the examination of the abdomen from the inside with a special endoscope.
The robot was presented in October 2020 and can be used in various areas of minimally invasive surgery - the so-called keyhole technology.
"I removed the uterus and fallopian tubes on benign tumors that were causing discomfort," explains Cimin-Bredée.
Controlling the robot with your hands and feet and seeing every organ enlarged was fascinating for her.
In addition, this modern technology is gentler and safer for the patient.
Robot is much more precise
This was also confirmed by Prof. Dr.
Dr.
Reinhold Lang.
Surgeons were skeptical of the surgical robot when it was introduced in the 1980s, but now the technology can only be endorsed.
“You can also use the keyhole system, but the robot is much more precise,” explains the chief physician for general and visceral surgery.
The robot helped with almost 100 operations within three months.
During an inguinal hernia operation, Lang is just as quick with the robot as without.
“But it offers more safety for the patient,” he says.
Because the new technology would damage fewer vessels and nerves.
That means less pain for the patient.
Dr.
Thomas Löffler, chief physician at the Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, has been using a surgical robot since 2019.
The so-called MAKO is mainly used in knee and hip arthroplasty - the supply of a patient with a prosthesis.
“I am still fascinated,” enthuses Löffler.
He has already performed over 300 operations with the system.
And the demand continues to rise.
"In six patients we were even able to do both knees in one operation."
Special training was necessary before using the surgical robot
Patients who are skeptical about the new technology can be reassured: "Every team went into training and, so to speak, got the driver's license for the robot," explains Lang.
Everyone who works with the device trained for 60 hours on the simulator before continuing to practice on training models.
"Afterwards we were accompanied by someone who has experience with it," says the chief physician for general and visceral surgery.
It was time-consuming to do the training alongside everyday clinical practice.
“But we did it because we are convinced of it.” Cimin-Bredée and Löffler see it that way too.
If a patient so wishes, however, the operation can also be carried out without the help of the robots.
But it has not yet happened that anyone wanted that.
Many patients even ask explicitly whether the operation with the robot is possible, report Lang and Löffler.
Less staff is not required through the use of the surgical robot.
On the contrary: "In some cases, technical staff is even required as a link," says hospital manager Thomas Lippmann.
He expressly emphasizes that the new technology is available to all citizens in the district and its surroundings.
Regardless of whether someone is operated on with or without a robot - there would be no extra costs.
The “da Vinci Xi” cost between two and three million euros to purchase.
Lippmann does not give an exact number.
The plan of the Krankenhaus GmbH is to also use the robot in spinal surgery and urology.
First, however, the use in gynecology and knee and hip arthroplasty is to be expanded, says managing director Lippmann.
