At UPMC St. Margaret, board-certified general surgeons use advanced techniques, state-of-the-art technology, and facilities to perform a wide range of procedures from biopsies and complex resections to hernia repair.
The hospital recently upgraded its robotic surgical system to the da Vinci Xi® Surgical System, allowing them to advance their minimally invasive, robotic-assisted operations.
“The new robot gives us the ability to offer more complex, fully robotic hernia repairs and colon resections,” says Jason Luciano, MD, robotics chair of General Surgery at UPMC St. Margaret.
Before, routine hernia repairs could be done in a minimally invasive fashion, but complex hernia repairs still required an open operation. And colon resections were typically laparoscopic or robotic assisted but typically still required a sizable incision. With the new robotic system, these procedures can be done almost completely robotically – significantly decreasing the size of patient’s incisions.
Benefits of robotic surgery may include:
- Reduced pain.
- Shorter hospital stay.
- Smaller incisions and less scarring.
- The ability to operate on hard-to-reach areas of the body.
- The ability to perform complex procedures with improved visualization and dexterity.
Increasing Patient Access
The General Surgery team (pictured above) at UPMC St. Margaret also has a new surgeon: Tony Cyr, MD. With his addition, the group significantly increased its robotic surgical volume – doubling the number of robotic surgeries they performed the year prior.
“Out of all UPMC hospitals in Western, Pa., UPMC St. Margaret has completed the most robotic colon surgeries,” adds Dr. Luciano. “And the benefits to our patients will only grow with our upgraded system.”
Patients who call for a consultation can typically be seen by a general surgeon within just three days. “We can get patients the surgeries they need within a reasonable period of time,” says Dr. Luciano.
General surgery procedures at UPMC St. Margaret include:
- Anorectal and pelvic floor surgery (hemorrhoids, anal fistula, fecal incontinence, etc.).
- Appendectomy.
- Colon and rectal surgery (including laparoscopic and robotic surgery).
- Complex biopsies.
- Gallbladder removal.
- Gastrointestinal services.
- Hernia repair and complex abdominal wall reconstruction.
- Inflammatory bowel disease surgery.
- Small and large bowel surgery.
Learn more about surgical services at UPMC St. Margaret, and call 412-782-2400 for a consultation.
da Vinci Xi® is a trademark of Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.