FirstHealth Acquires Second da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery System, Enhancing Ability to Care for Patients

PINEHURST, N.C. -- FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital is advancing its robotic surgery capabilities thanks to the acquisition of a second da Vinci Xi Surgical System.

The da Vinci Xi system was designed with the goal of further advancing the technology used in minimally invasive surgery. The system can be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures and has been optimized for multi-quadrant surgeries in the areas of gynecology, urology, thoracic, colorectal and general surgery.

As with all da Vinci surgical systems, the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic-assisted system, which translates his/her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. Robot-assisted operations are done through small incisions instead of one large one, and patients typically have less pain, shorter hospital stays and much faster recovery.

David Grantham, M.D., medical director of FirstHealth’s Robotic Surgery program, said the new system represents FirstHealth’s continued commitment to state-of-the-art technology.

"This is certainly an upgrade to our capabilities. The new system has increased mobility allowing surgeons better access to multiple quadrants of the abdominal cavity during an operation. Additionally, there are updated energy sources and the new da Vinci stapling system, which allows the system to assess the thickness of tissues to be stapled to ensure maximal compression during the process,” Grantham said. “Robotic surgery has certainly progressed since its inception and we have seen the same since FirstHealth obtained its original da Vinci system. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities future advancements can have on patient safety while creating improved outcomes.”

Physicians at FirstHealth of the Carolinas have been using robot-assisted technology during surgeries for several years, and additional Xi system will further enhance FirstHealth’s abilities to provide high-quality care through less invasive procedures.

Jenifir Bruno, M.D., FirstHealth’s Chief Medical Officer, echoed Grantham’s thoughts about what the new system means for patients.

“We introduced robotic surgery at Moore Regional Hospital in 2006 with radical prostatectomies (prostate removals) performed by urologists Robert Chamberlain, M.D., and Greg Griewe, M.D.,” Bruno said. “We have been committed to these minimally invasive efforts, and we will remain committed to them for years to come as we work each day to care for patients dealing with any number of serious medical issues.”

Key features of the da Vinci Xi system include:

• A new overhead instrument arm architecture designed to facilitate anatomical access from virtually any position.
• A new endoscope digital architecture that creates a simpler, more compact design with improved vision definition and clarity.
• An ability to attach the endoscope to any arm, providing flexibility for visualizing the surgical site. Smaller, thinner arms with newly designed joints that offer a greater range of motion than ever before.
• Longer instrument shafts designed to give surgeons greater operative reach.

Learn more about robotic surgeries performed at FirstHealth of the Carolinas.