COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Kootenai Health introduced a new Da Vinci 5 surgical robot Tuesday, and doctors lined up to try it out.
The robot is the latest model from Intuitive, and no hospitals in Spokane have it yet. This puts Kootenai Health ahead with the newest technology.
Surgeons say the robot will help with several types of surgeries, especially prostate operations.
“The robot in about the last 15 years has gained a lot of traction,” said Dr. Matt McLaughlin, a urologist with North Idaho Urology. “I think for what we do, prostatectomies, almost 90% are done with the robot in the United States. It’s less blood loss, quicker return to recovery.”
The robot works like a VR headset. Surgeons control robotic arms while looking at detailed images of the surgery area. During Tuesday’s demonstration, doctors practiced simple tasks like moving rubber bands with the robotic arms.
Dr. Roxanne Haslam, a surgeon with North Idaho Urology, said the robot makes surgeries safer.
“[It] really minimizes a lot of the complications that come from really complex surgeries to just make it an overall safer experience for the patients and the surgeon,” Haslam said. “So it really helps reduce how long people are in the hospital.”
The new technology will also help the hospital recruit better doctors. Many new surgeons expect to work with robotic equipment.
“Technologically, it’s very advanced. That brings in surgeons with more experience,” said Dr. Ken Helal, an OBGYN at Kootenai Health. “I think nowadays, almost everybody coming out of training has trained on the robot. To get new doctors, if you don’t have this equipment, you’re not going to be able to bring them to the area.”
Surgical robots have been used in local hospitals for decades, but this is the newest model available.
Surgeons have started training on the robot and plan to use it with patients next month.
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