New Robotic Technology Aids In Algonquin Man's Surgery

MCHENRY, IL — A 54-year-old Algonquin man is among the first patients at Northwestern McHenry Hospital to benefit from a new robotic surgical system meant to allow for less pain and less invasive surgeries.

John Rosenthal said the da Vinci Xi — a device controlled by surgeons, which allows them to perform complex, minimally invasive surgeries with more precision — likely contributed to his quick recovery time following a procedure to deal with a painful hernia.

"I was in constant pain and knew that surgery would be the only option to fix it,” Rosenthal said. “I was able to go home a few hours after the procedure, and I’m on my way to getting around better without the constant pain holding me back.”

Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital is the most recent Northwestern Medicine hospital to start using the technology. According to hospital officials, surgeons sit use the da Vinci Xi while sitting at a nearby console to view 3-D images of the surgical site. Using the controls from the da Vinci Xi, the surgeon can move the robotic instruments with accuracy, stability and dexterity through small surgical incisions, according to a news release from Northwestern Medicine.

“The Xi robotic platform has been an exceptional tool for minimally invasive surgery. It overcomes the challenges of the past in terms of energy devices for dissection, visualization, set-up and operating room efficiency,” said Veronica Guerrero, a bariatric surgeon at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital. “This translates to patient care with more precision, decreased blood loss, decreased pain and an overall decrease in open surgeries which we know can lead to increase in pain, complications and recovery time.”

The hospital had used an earlier version of the da Vinci robotic surgical system in the past, but the new system allows surgeons to perform even more advanced and complicated surgeries that are still minimally invasive, according to a news release from the hospital.

The device has smaller, thinner arms and greater range of motion for more defined technique and precision. It also allow for more advanced and complicated cases to not be as invasive, according to the news release.

“Offering the newest version of this minimally invasive surgery option closer to home for our patients will further enhance the patient experience for those requiring surgical care,” said Kristina Whitmore, vice president of operations at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital. “Patients tend to recover quicker, which can help ease the patient stress and anxiety preparing for their procedure.”

Other Northwestern Medicine hospitals that are using one or more da Vinci Xi robotic surgery systems, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital.