Peace of Mind, Close to Home
Samaritan surgeons are highly trained for colectomy procedures using the state-of-the-art da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgical System. With just four to five fingertip-sized port holes, surgeons utilize robotic arms with 360-degree movement to remove the diseased section of colon — resulting in drastically less pain, quicker recovery, and shorter hospital stays.
No one wants surgery, but when it is necessary, you can find comfort in sticking close to home without compromising on quality. Our surgeons are trained in top hospitals by the world’s leading surgeons, bringing big-city expertise to the Columbia Basin. You can recover where you are already comfortable — at home.
What is a Colectomy?
A colectomy is the surgical removal of an extent of the colon, the longest portion of the large bowel. It may be performed to prevent or treat illnesses, including colon cancer, diverticulitis, infection, perforation, and other indicators of impaired colon function.
By the Numbers
Why choose a robotic-assisted colectomy at Samaritan Healthcare? The numbers speak for themselves — it is less invasive, facilitates faster healing, and is more convenient than the surgery’s traditional counterpart.
- 4-5 port holes
- 5 robotic arms
- 360-degree view
- 8-millimeter incisions
- 24/7 access to robot
What are the Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Colectomies?
The da Vinci Robotic-Assisted Surgical System offers the best of both worlds, combining highly experienced surgeons with top-tier technology. Below are just a few of the benefits of a robotic-assisted colectomy.
Traditionally, post-surgical pain is often from the body cavity. With the da Vinci, the surgeon avoids manipulating the surrounding tissue, resulting in less pain.
The cameras attached to the robotic arms can go around corners at a 360-degree angle, as well as light up to easily see within the abdominal wall.
The piece of diseased colon is brought out through a small incision, similar in size and place to a C-section. The remainder of the procedure can be completed inside the body cavity with the da Vinci, including stapling or stitching.
The surgeon is able to touch the colon as little as possible, grabbing the fat surrounding it instead of the bowel itself. This minimizes the risk of “stunning” or irritating the bowel, which can cause a temporary loss of function.
A florescent dye can be injected into blood vessels to check blood flow before the procedure is even completed. The dye can also help the surgeon avoid injuring ureters (muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
Colectomy: Old vs. New
In a traditional colectomy, the surgeon cuts a large midline incision and manually handles the bowels, adjusting and dissecting based on feel. Vision can be difficult and every time the bowel is touched, it can become irritated and temporarily lose function.
Patients typically recover in the hospital for up to two weeks as they wait for their bowels to regain function. The midline incision is also susceptible to hernias in the future.
Colon surgery can also be completed laparoscopically. While visualization and control are improved, surgeons still lack flexibility and dexterity with the inflexible robotic arms, unable to easily change direction.
Robotic-assisted colectomies, however, are much more precise while only requiring several fingertip-size incisions. Using special graspers on the robotic arms, the surgeon only touches what is necessary, going around corners with excellent, magnified vision while causing minimal trauma to the bowel. This means a much faster recovery — some patients can go home after just a day.
How Does a Robotic-Assisted Colectomy Work?
During a robotic-assisted colectomy, the surgeon will use the da Vinci system to create four or five 8-millimeter portholes in the patient’s abdomen for the robotic arms. The arms act like human wrists, meaning the entire system can shift angles or change quadrants without any additional trauma to the body.
The piece of diseased colon is removed with a lower-abdomen incision, similar to a C-section. The remainder of the surgery is completed inside the patient, including any staples or stitches. During recovery, the patient will feel little to no pain and, in most cases, will be discharged as soon as the bowel regains function.
FAQs
While in-hospital recovery from traditional colon surgery can last up to two weeks, robotic-assisted surgical patients can return home as soon as their bowel regains function. In some cases, this can be as soon as a day!
The bowel has very few pain receptors, and robotic-assisted surgery allows for minimal manipulation of surrounding tissue. Therefore, post-surgical pain is extremely minimal or nonexistent.
In the words of Dr. Matson, it’s all about the angles. The robot can shift at any point in the procedure, meaning there is no need for additional port holes in the body. Visualization and flexibility are unmatched.
Every surgery has risks, and colon surgery is no exception. However, robotic-assisted surgery minimizes these risks with the ability to check for blood flow and leaks during the procedure, and minimal bowel disruption to lessen the risk of irritation or illuis, a “stunned” bowel.
Surgery at Samaritan offers the best of both worlds. Patients do not have to factor in the cost of travel or lodging for their procedure, recovering close to home while still receiving state-of-the-art medical care from providers who genuinely care.
Patient Education Checklists
- Inform your surgeon’s office if you develop skin infections, open sores or irritations around the intended surgical site before surgery
- Avoid shaving the surgical sites for seven days before surgery
- No pedicures/manicures before surgery
- “Nose to Toes” skin prep will be employed to optimize skin for surgery
- Avoid all dental work that is non–emergent (including cleaning) for 12 weeks prior to and 12 weeks after surgery.
- Plan ahead! Let your surgeon’s office know ASAP if you are requiring urgent/emergent dental work.
- Stop smoking/use of nicotine products
- Limit alcohol intake
- Stop using cannabis products (marijuana) for 30 days prior to anesthesia
- Continued use of cannabis may make it harder to control your pain and cause anxiety/agitation/nausea/vomiting
- Blood sugar control is very important especially prior to surgery
- Ideal A1C is <7.5
- This can help reduce the risk of infection and other complications
- Stress can cause fluctuations in hormones that affect blood glucose levels
- Healthy eating and proper nutrition before your surgery aids in the healing process.
- Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated
- Try to eat a balanced diet that is rich in:
- Fiber- Corn, peas, beans, whole-wheat, pasta, breads, broccoli and almonds
- Calcium- Milk, cheese, dark leafy greens and fortified cereal
- Protein- Eggs, almonds, lean meats, poultry, lentils, Greek yogurt, fish
- Arrange for assistance at home (support person/caregiver)
- You will want someone to be home with you for up to five days after surgery
- Transportation:
- Plan ahead and arrange for a ride home after your surgery.
- Make sure vehicle is easy to get into and out of (no climbing/steps) and has adequate leg room
- Home assistive devices:
- Obtain your FRONT-WHEELED WALKER ahead of time, and PLEASE BRING IT WITH YOU TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SURGERY.
A pre-op nurse will call to inform you regarding:
- Time of arrival
- Time of surgery
- Medications to take the morning of with a sip of water
- Last time you are able to eat and drink normally