Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes now performing robot-assisted surgeries to improve patient outcomes

Essentia Health St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes is proud to announce the introduction of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, which will enable minimally invasive robot-assisted surgeries that improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery times.

The Xi will be used during gynecologic, colorectal and general surgery procedures, including hysterectomies, resection of endometriosis and ovarian cysts, colon surgery, laparoscopic hernia repair and gallbladder surgery.

"We are excited to bring this cutting-edge technology to our community," said Jeremy Theesfeld, nurse manager of surgical services at Essentia Health St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes. "This robotic-assisted technology is proven to reduce complications, decrease the length of hospital stays and decrease pain and the need for pain medicine postoperatively."

Benefits of robotic surgery include:

• Reduced post-surgery pain.
• Less blood loss.
• Fewer and smaller scars.
• Faster recovery.
• Shorter hospital stays.
• Less risk of infection.
• More surgical precision.

Built on 20 years of experience, the Xi is da Vinci's fourth-generation machine. Equipped with four movable arms, the Xi operates as an extension of a surgeon's eyes and hands, allowing unobstructed access to the patient. Using a laser system, the robot is able to configure itself precisely, ensuring optimal surgery positions based on patients' needs. The surgeon then operates the machine in the same operative room as the patient with fine-tuned mechanics through an overhead console. The console is equipped with 3D camera-enhanced visualization magnified 10x to what the human eye sees, which allows for up-close, tremor-free access to every step of the procedure.