HCMC Introduces the da Vinci XI Surgical System to the Community

Cutline:  Pictured are staff training on the new da Vinci XI Surgical System at HCMC.

Paris, TN — Henry County Medical Center is pleased to announce the recent upgrade of the da Vinci Surgical System to our surgical robotics technology.  The da Vinci Xi Surgical System was designed with the goal of further advancing the technology used in minimally invasive surgery.  Our new robotics technology arrived last month to better serve our patients and community.

The da Vinci Xi System can be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures and has been optimized for multi-quadrant surgeries (procedures in which instruments must be able to reach up and down and across the abdomen and chest) in the areas of gynecology, urology, and general surgery.

The da Vinci Surgical System is a tool that utilizes advanced, robotic, computer and optical technologies to assist our surgeon with your operation. It does not act on its own and its movements are controlled by the surgeon directly. The da Vinci Surgical System has a 3D high definition (3D-HD) vision system, special instruments and computer software that allow your surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. The 3D-HD image is highly magnified, so your surgeon has a close-up view of the area he or she is operating on. The da Vinci instruments have mechanical wrists that bend and rotate to mimic the movements of the human wrist – allowing your surgeon to make small, precise movements inside your body. And, da Vinci software can minimize the effects of a surgeon’s hand tremors on instrument movements.

“The da Vinci Xi System is an expandable technology platform that is designed to accommodate and seamlessly integrate a range of current technologies, as well as future innovations, in areas such as imaging, advanced instruments and anatomical access,” said John Tucker, HCMC CEO. “We are thrilled to offer robotic surgery at Henry County Medical Center and look forward to continuing to bring the Paris, Henry County, and the surrounding region advanced minimally invasive surgical treatment options.”

Compared to prior da Vinci Systems, the new Xi System’s key features 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 visual 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 instruments shafts designed to give surgeons greater operative reach

A da Vinci Surgery is a less invasive technique than what is referred to as “open” surgery. With da Vinci Surgery, the cuts (incisions) made in your body by your surgeon are much smaller than the cut made during open surgery. da Vinci Surgery is therefore considered “minimally invasive surgery.” Studies of da Vinci Surgery have shown the following benefits in comparison to open surgery:

  • A shorter hospital stay
  • Less blood loss
  • Fewer complications
  • Less need for narcotic pain medicineharper
  • A faster recovery
  • Smaller incisions associated with minimal scarring

Since its introduction, da Vinci Surgery has greatly reduced the number of open surgeries for common operations such as hysterectomy and prostatectomy. Due to the da Vinci technology, more patients have been offered minimally invasive surgery than at any other time in history.

At HCMC, the following physicians are utilizing this technology for surgical procedures:

  • John Beddies, MD, Urology
  • Pamela Evans, MD, OB/GYN
  • Jason Harper, MD, General Surgery
  • Joe Mobley, III, MD, Urology
  • Stephen Phillips, MD, General Surgery

For more information about our surgical services department at HCMC including our robotics technology, call our FindLine at 731-644-3463 or go online at www.hcmc-tn.org.

About Henry County Medical Center
Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region.  Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 8 provider clinics in various specialties.  Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.