Robot-Assisted Surgery
The Future Has Arrived to BMH
Throughout 2016, Bingham Memorial Hospital (BMH) invested in many new pieces of equipment, bringing the latest technology to eastern Idaho. If you need surgery, you should know about our da Vinci Surgical System—used by our urologists, Ob-Gyns, and general surgeons—and the Mazor X—for advanced robot-guided spinal surgery.
The da Vinci Surgical System allows our urologists, OB/Gyn’s, and general surgeons to perform procedures that we could not previously do, as well as other procedures that were done the old-fashioned way—with long incisions—now being done laparoscopically and with less recovery time.
The da Vinci Surgical System was designed with the goal of further advancing the technology used in minimally invasive surgery. If someone has been diagnosed with a condition requiring surgery, they may be a candidate for this technology. Some of the procedures routinely performed with the da Vinci Surgical System include: hysterectomies, ovary removal for benign conditions, partial nephrectomies, and prostatectomies.
It’s important to know that surgery with da Vinci does not mean a robot is performing the surgery. It uses a suite of closely grouped stations: a console from which a surgeon manipulates instruments, the robot at the patient’s bedside, and a three-dimensional color monitor. The surgeon’s assistant keeps an eye on the robot and the monitor. During surgery, a patient lies under the four-armed apparatus. One arm supports a camera that guides the surgeon and the other arms support instruments that have seven planes of motion—one more than the human hand.
If you are scheduled for surgery, ask your physician if the procedure you’re having can be performed at Bingham Memorial Hospital with the da Vinci Surgical System, which allows for even greater precision, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays (less expensive!), better clinical outcomes, and faster return to everyday activities.
Mazor X—Robot-Guided Spinal Surgery
BMH is now one of first locations in the world to use the Mazor X—innovative technology that is used for robot-guided spinal surgery.
Dr. Robert Johnson, a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with the Idaho Back Institute at BMH, is one of the only physicians in the U.S. who has been trained to use this most advanced robotic equipment during spine surgery. In fact, Dr. Johnson was instrumental in its development and was one of the original surgeons involved in the clinical trials involving the Mazor X.
Dr. Johnson treats people with a wide variety of spinal conditions of the neck and back. He also specializes in several areas of spine surgery, including cervical and lumbar spinal arthroplasty—surgical procedures that involve removing damaged or degenerated cervical or lumbar discs and replacing them with an artificial disc device.
With accuracy and precision, Mazor X will assist Dr. Johnson, as well as other surgeons trained on this system, in the surgical treatment of many spine conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, scoliosis or curvature of the spine, herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, stenosis, vertebral fractures, and more.
“By using this surgical technique as opposed to traditional fusion methods, patients have a better chance to resume a more active lifestyle with a reduction in future complications and follow-up operations,” Dr. Johnson said.
Independent clinical research has also shown that minimally-invasive surgery with Mazor Robotics technology:
- Increases accuracy
- Lowers complication rates
- Reduces postoperative pain
- Enables faster recovery
“Robotics is not the future anymore,” Dr. Johnson said. “It is very much in present time and we believe it will become the standard of care across service lines, including spine surgery.”
“This upcoming endeavor falls in line with our continued dedication to provide each and every one of our patients with the highest-quality healthcare,” said Jeff Daniels, CEO at BHM. “We couldn’t be more pleased that Dr. Johnson is here to perform such innovative spinal surgeries to help people throughout eastern Idaho find relief from chronic neck and back pain.”
Dr. Johnson brings to eastern Idaho the most advanced techniques for treating conditions and injuries affecting the neck and back. His primary goal as a physician is to help patients obtain some relief from their ailments so they can keep doing what they love, and he strongly believes in exhausting all conservative means to treat a wide variety of spinal conditions of the neck and back before suggesting surgery.
Dr. Johnson sees patients in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, and Pocatello. For those suffering from chronic neck or back pain, appointments can be scheduled with Dr. Johnson at: (208) 235-2277. Se habla Español.
To learn more about Dr. Johnson, click here.
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