Da Vinci Surgical System with TidalHealth
SEAFORD, Del. – In this week’s edition of Health Beat, brought to you by TidalHealth, WMDT spoke with Dr. Jarrod Buzalewski about the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, and its expansion to more TidalHealth locations.
Dr. Buzalewski, a general and bariatric surgeon with TidalHealth, said the Da Vinci system first launched in Seaford in 2021. Since then, a total of six surgeons have performed over 2500 cases on site. However, Dr. Buzalewski told WMDT he’s been performing robotic assisted surgery using the Da Vinci platform for the past ten years, and the added advantages are numerous.
Some of the perks of using the system include three dimensional imaging, allowing for enhanced precision over traditional laparoscopic techniques. Each robot arm functions independently and, under the control of the surgeon, is able to switch back and forth between the various robot arms to act as both the assistant and the primary operating surgeon.
“The da Vinci robot, when it is being utilized for surgery, does not mean that R2-D2 is operating on you. It is clearly your surgeon that is controlling the device,” Dr. Buzalewski clarified. “That’s a great advantage compared to traditional laparoscopic surgical techniques.”
But the Da Vinci system can be used in a multitude of different surgeries; including gallbladder, hernia, colon, and weight loss surgeries. And, surgical residents are currently training at multiple TidalHealth locations to expand on those operations. Most recently, the Da Vinci system was added to TidalHealth Atlantic in Berlin, with plans currently in place to introduce the system next to TidalHealth Millsboro Surgery Center.
“We’re always looking to expand upon the different service lines that utilize the Da Vinci system in our hospital,” Dr. Buzalewski said. “Currently, gynecology, cardiothoracic surgery, and general surgery are utilized.”
TidalHealth Seaford is also in the process of applying for a Robotic Surgery Center of Excellence designation with the Surgical Review Corporation. To learn more about robotic surgery at TidalHealth, click here.
