St. Joseph Medical Center is pleased to offer da Vinci (robotic approach) bariatric surgery by well-known bariatric surgeon, David von Rueden, MD, FACS.

The da Vinci Surgical System, introduced in 2000, consists of a remote console where the surgeon has a three-dimensional view, with high magnification, of the operative field and can control the robotic arms, which hold instruments inside the abdominal cavity. 

The da Vinci robot enhances the minimally-invasive approach of the Laparoscope to improve the Roux-Y gastric bypass procedure--one of the more challenging technical procedures being performed laparoscopically. The robotic system allows the surgeon’s hand movements to be translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative site. Benefits of the da Vinci robotic system compared to the pure laparoscopic approach include:

• Three-dimensional magnified view of the operative field (not two-D)
• Instruments with two additional degrees of freedom
• Improved surgical maneuverability and ergonomics
• More precise suturing capability due to better visualization, considerably improved range-of-motion of instruments, elimination of torque due to a thick abdominal wall, and elimination of tremor of hand of surgeon
• Alleviation of fatigue of surgeon by allowing seated position and eliminating torque

Dr. von Rueden has performed 30 Roux-Y gastric bypass procedures using the da Vinci robotic system to date and is currently performing these procedures at St. Joseph Medical Center.