For Immediate Release June 24, 2009

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

St. John’s Hospital offers latest robotic-assisted surgery

One of three hospitals in the country to acquire dual-console da Vinci Surgical System

SPRINGFIELD – St. John’s Hospital today unveiled the latest robotic-assisted surgery system that gives surgeons an enhanced three-dimensional view of the operative field and greater flexibility to maneuver instruments during a minimally invasive procedure. The acquisition of the new dual-console da Vinci SI Surgical System will allow greater collaboration for surgeons who perform robotic surgical procedures and enhance teaching opportunities at St. John’s Hospital.

The new da Vinci Si was launched in April. St. John’s is only the third hospital in the United States to purchase the dual-console system.

“St. John’s is committed to investing in medical technology that improves recovery times and reduces complications for our patients. In 2004, we were the first hospital in the region to acquire a da Vinci robot. Our decision to upgrade to the latest system underscores our ongoing dedication to provide better outcomes for our patients,” said Bob Ritz, President and CEO, St. John’s Hospital.

The new daVinci SI offers greater benefits to surgeons and clinicians, including:

• Advanced 3D HD visualization with up to 12x magnification
• An updated user interface for streamlined setup and Operating Room (OR) turnover times
• Enhanced digital OR integration
• Dual-console capability to support training and collaboration during minimally invasive surgery.

These technological advancements provide surgeons with unparalleled precision, dexterity and control that allow for a minimally invasive approach to many complex surgical procedures. Robotic surgery at St. John’s has primarily involved urological and gynecological procedures.

The da Vinci robot allows a surgeon to operate through a console adjacent to the operating table that provides a three-dimensional view, allowing for the depth perception necessary to manipulate tissue. Unlike normal laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon has a full-range of motion and the same direct eye-hand instrument alignment found in open surgery.

"The advantage to robotic surgery is that surgeons can operate in a very small incision as if our hands are right there,” said Dr. Bradley Schwartz, the director for laparoscopy and endourology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Dr. Schwartz has performed more than 120 robotic surgical procedures at St. John’s Hospital.

The da Vinci system performs more than 1,300 safety checks per second during a procedure, ensuring a failsafe operation. “Because of the advanced technology involved with the robot, patient safety is maximized. If there are problems with the robot, it can be undocked and a normal laparoscopic procedure can be completed,” added Dr. Schwartz.

Seven surgeons who’ve undergone specialized training currently use the daVinci at St. John’s. They are supported by 18 specially trained clinicians from the hospital’s surgical staff. More than 300 patients have undergone a robotic surgical procedure at St. John’s. Typically, those patients have found their recovery times were faster and they were up and resuming normal daily activity more quickly with less risk of complications.