100th robotic surgery performed at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Elmbrook Memorial

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Elmbrook Memorial, which began offering robotic surgeries earlier this year, celebrated its 100th robotic surgery on July 28, 2010.

Dr. Theresa Hayssen performed a robotic laparoscopic colorectal procedure, one of several robotic procedures she has performed since Elmbrook Memorial began offering the minimally invasive robotic surgery in January 2010.

“By using the robot, we are able to do things we cannot easily do using traditional laparoscopic techniques,” said Dr. Hayssen. “We are able to keep the incisions smaller which may result in an easier patient recovery.”

Elmbrook Memorial offers many types of robotic surgeries including prostate, urologic, gynecologic, gastric bypass, and colorectal. Using the da Vinci Surgical System, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at a console viewing a 3D image of the surgical field. The surgeon’s fingers grasp the master controls below the display, with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments inside the patient.

“We are excited to reach this milestone within months of beginning the robotics program at Elmbrook Memorial,” said Debra Standridge, President of the North Market. “It is important to us to offer our patients minimally invasive robotic surgery as an option in addition to traditional laparoscopic procedures. Our robotic surgery capabilities have advanced Elmbrook’s outstanding surgery program offering the community a level of clinical excellence second to none in Waukesha County.”

Dr. Hayssen said that it’s especially exciting to have a robot available to assist with a challenging procedure like laparoscopic colorectal surgery. “The robot helps us solve some of the challenges of this type of surgery,” she said.

To learn more about the robotic surgery program at Elmbrook Memorial, go to http://www.mywheaton.org/locations/elmbrook_memorial/RoboticSurgery.asp or http://www.davincisurgery.com/.