da Vinci Surgical System

St Andrew’s Hospital was the first private hospital in South Australia to purchase a da Vinci Surgical Robot (DVR).

St Andrew's Hospital has housed two releases of da Vinci Surgical Robots in the last 3 years and, like in other sites around the world, it has transformed the lives of patients who benefit from its capabilities and marvelled the surgeons who have used it.

The da Vinci Surgical System is a robotic surgical system made by the American company Intuitive Surgical. It is designed to facilitate complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach, and is controlled by one of our surgeon from a console.

Although the general term "robotic surgery" is often used to refer to the technology, this term can give the impression that the da Vinci System is performing the surgery autonomously. In contrast, the current da Vinci Surgical System cannot – in any manner – function on its own, as it was not designed as an autonomous system and lacks decision making software.

By providing surgeons with superior visualization, enhanced dexterity, greater precision and ergonomic comfort, the da Vinci Surgical System makes it possible for more surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures involving complex dissection or reconstruction.

For the patient, a da Vinci procedure can offer all the potential benefits of a minimally invasive procedure, including less pain, less blood loss and less need for blood transfusions.

The da Vinci System can enable a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery and faster return to normal daily activities. Patients should review the risks associated with all surgical approaches with their surgeon and talk to their doctors to decide if da Vinci is right for them.

The purchase and use of this highly complex surgical system enhances St Andrew’s enviable reputation as one of Australia’s leading private hospitals, and importantly provides an excellent clinical service for our patients.

We would like to acknowlege Mr Gordon Pickard AM for his very kind donation in making the purchase of the da Vinci Surgical Robot possible.