Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/298737
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013 MACON MAGAZINE I 59 What advanced technology or procedure are you using? daVinci Robotic Surgery. Thanks to a breakthrough surgical technology, there is now a new category of minimally invasive surgery that has been shown to be effective on children who need complex surgeries. It is an effective alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopy. Originally it was developed for adults and now can be used on children. This type of surgical procedure is helping to improve clinical outcomes and redefining standards of care for pediatric patients. Who benefits the most from this? Pediatric patients who need complex intraabdominal (abdominal) or intrathoracic (chest) surgery What does the public need to understand about this? It is a tool that helps us perform complex surgery minimally invasively. It is similar to laparoscopic surgery but with better, more advanced optics and instrumentation. During this type of surgery, the surgeon controls a robot that can perform the complex operation with small incisions resulting in significantly less pain, a decreased chance of infection, less scarring, a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to normal daily activities. How is this procedure performed? It is possible to perform any surgery that can be done laparoscopically or thoracoscopically with the daVinci system and is used whenever possible. Is it covered by insurance or Medicare? Yes, but check with your insurance provider for details about coverage. Where can we find out more information? Both websites are helpful: www.childrenshospitalmacon.org www.intuitivesurgical.com 770 Pine Street | Macon, GA 31201 | (478) 633-8383 Georgia Pediatric Surgical Associates S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N Bryan C. Weidner, M.D. Associate Professor of Surgery, Director, Undergraduate Surgical Education and Chief of Pediatric Surgery Darla R. Rich, FNP-BC American Nurses Credentialing Center American Pediatric Surgery Nurses Association Joshua B. Glenn, M.D. Assistant Professor of Pediatric Surgery, Medical Director of Robotic Surgery Don K. Nakayama, M.D. Fellow American College of Surgeons Milford B. Hatcher Professor and Chair Department of Surgery; Program Director, General Surgery Residency Program Issam J. Shaker, M.D. Fellow American College of Surgeons, Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics h e a lt h y I N N O V A T I O N S