MVHS adds new surgical robot

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Health System’s (MVHS) St. Elizabeth Medical Campus is now home to a new daVinci XI robot, at least for now.

The robot, manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., performs minimally invasive surgeries that allow for shorter recovery times. It’s the second robot for MVHS, with the first located at its St. Luke’s campus. Both robots will relocate to the Wynn Hospital in time for its opening on Oct. 29.

“In terms of robotic surgeries, we’re able to do very complex operations through very small incisions,” Director of Thoracic Surgery Mark Crye said. “This allows patients to recover quickly, get out of the hospital sooner, and have as good or better outcomes as they would with open operations. We’re very excited to bring this opportunity to patients in this area.”

The robots use high-definition 3D vision, a magnified view, and robotic and computer assistance along with specialized instrumentation such as a miniaturized surgical camera and wristed instruments designed for precise work. It includes dual consoles, allowing more than one physician to access the robot simultaneously.

It is the first robot in the region with SimNow, a library of realistic simulations for practice of system skills, procedure training exercises, and virtual-reality experiences, MVHS says.

MVHS is in the process of constructing Wynn Hospital, a 10-story, 672,000-square-foot, 373-bed hospital in downtown Utica. The new hospital’s design helps reduce gaps and inefficiencies in care coordination, eliminates duplication of services, and improves ease of access.