Westerly Hospital expands services with robot-assisted surgical system

Westerly, RI (April 29, 2021) ꟷ Westerly Hospital is expanding its surgical capabilities with the acquisition of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System that offers patients a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery. The robotic device arrived at the hospital earlier today and surgeons will perform the first procedures next month.

At Westerly, surgeons employ the da Vinci Xi to treat urologic cancers, prostate enlargement, male infertility and kidney stone management. The da Vinci Xi’s advanced technology allows our Westerly physicians to complete more advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures than ever before.

In addition, this new technology will be utilized for hysterectomies as well as many general surgical procedures, such as thyroid cancer removal, colorectal procedures, and hernia repair.

Utilizing the da Vinci Xi surgical system, patients have access to cutting edge robotic surgery from one of the most experienced teams in the region. Combined with our enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, patients undergoing robotic surgery are proven to be released from the hospital and on the road to recovery more quickly.

“We are proud to offer the latest and most advanced robotic surgical techniques to our patients at Westerly Hospital,” said Patrick Green, president and CEO, Westerly Hospital. “Our investment in this world-class technology will enhance the care we provide to our community and allows our patients to return more quickly to their day-to-day lives.”

During robotic surgery, the surgeon handles surgical instruments from a console that is usually several feet from the patient, while viewing images of the inside of on the patient monitors. The surgeon, who has complete control of the robot, makes small incisions, which can mean smaller scars and less pain for patients.

One of the biggest differences between robotic and traditional laparoscopic surgery, which also uses small incisions, is that robotic surgery provides three-dimensional images of the surgical area (vs. two-dimensional images for laparoscopic surgery).