On a recent Saturday morning in an operating room at Lions Gate Hospital, Dr. Nava Aslani's set to work performing surgery.
But it's not the typical sight of a surgeon hovering over a patient. She is, in fact, a few metres away from her patient, sitting in a chair looking through a viewer.
With subtle foot movements, she uses pedals to control a camera trained on the patient. With her thumb and middle finger placed in a console, her hand movements control robotic arms that make critical, precise movements while working on the patient. And, in this instance, the patient is a small plate of colourful blobs.
The new machine is the Da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System, allowing surgeons at the North Vancouver hospital to perform procedures in the Paul Myers Tower for prostate removal; bowel, rectal and kidney cancers; hysterectomies and complex hernias.
“I’m excited that our patients are going to have more access to our cutting edge technology,” said Dr. Justin Lee, attending physician, division of urology and department of surgery at Lions Gate Hospital, following the demonstration performed by Aslani.
The surgical robotics system was purchased for $5.5 million through the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation late last year, which includes the system, additional instruments, a simulator and software.
Several months were spent on preparation and intensive staff training to use the robot.
When it's time to operate on real human subjects, the system makes use of four robotic arms which are placed in ports to allow the instruments to enter the abdomen during surgery.
The new tech offers a more precise and less invasive method compared to traditional surgical techniques, said Lee.
“Because of the ability to have better visibility, three-dimensional view, surgeons are able to operate with more precision,” he said. “And that translates to less pain for our patients. Because of the smaller incision, they’re able to recover faster, less blood loss, and they can get back to their regular activities quicker.”
Before the robotics system came to Lions Gate Hospital, patients had to travel to Vancouver General Hospital to receive robotic surgery. Now, patients on the North Shore can stay closer to home, Lee said.
It’s not just patients, however, who benefit from the new tech. The system also improves life for surgeons. Lee said surgeons are traditionally hunched over when operating on patients, leaning over the table with their instruments. Now the surgical robot allows them to sit straight, improving posture and patient care.
The robot is also equipped with a dual console, allowing surgeons-in-training to observe safely while also getting the experience they need, he said.
Lee stressed that nothing is automated with the robot, and surgeons are doing everything during procedures.
Since the surgical robot’s launch in January, 13 prostate removals have been completed.
“Patients are reporting very minimal pain, and so we’ve already seen the benefits of the robotic surgery program,” he said.
Lions Gate Hospital said hundreds of patients will benefit from the new technology. Lee said the new gear will also help recruit surgeons who have training in robotic surgery.
“Robotics is where the field of surgery is moving. For us to remain current and ready for the future, we need to embrace robotic assisted surgery,” he said.
Judy Savage, president and CEO of the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, thanked donors for their generosity.
“Lions Gate Hospital Foundation is excited to champion progress and innovation, and we are extremely grateful to all of the donors who generously contributed to the cost of the robot,” she said. “With eight state-of-the-art operating rooms in our new Paul Myers Tower, we now have the infrastructure needed to support the next generation of medical technology.”
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
