Three years of da Vinci Robotic Surgery System at McKenzie-Willamette

(Springfield, OR, July 14, 2009) When patient Melissa York learned that she needed a hysterectomy, Dr. Zena Monji, MD, OB-Gyn., told York about a minimally invasive technique known as da Vinci Robotic Surgery. Some of the benefits patients may experience when their surgeon uses da Vinci are significantly less pain and less blood loss.

After having a complete hysterectomy using da Vinci technology, York says, “The da Vinci surgery was so different from others I had. It was a very positive experience for me. I never felt incredibly weak. I was able to get back quickly to caring for my family and get back to my job sooner. Only eight days after surgery I kept a dentist appointment that required my sitting in a dentist chair for 3 hours, and I was fine.  If you can believe it, only 16 days after my da Vinci surgery, I gave a public talk at a major event, where I was required to do a good deal of standing and sitting.”

York is one of nearly 600 surgery patients who have benefited from the da Vinci Robotic Surgery system at McKenzie-Willamette, which in 2009 marked its third anniversary.

In March 2006, shortly after a major medical center in Portland installed the system, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center became the second medical center in Oregon to invest in the da Vinci® Surgical System, bringing the benefits of this revolutionary minimally invasive surgery to Oregonians in regions outside  the Portland area.

Local Board-certified urologists from the Oregon Urology Institute have routinely used the da Vinci system to treat prostate and urology conditions at McKenzie-Willamette, including physicians David DiMarco, David Esrig,  Douglas Hoff,  Bryan Mehlhaff, Brady Walker and Jeffrey Woolsey. Urogynecologist Connie DiMarco uses the robotic system for sacrocolpopexy and other complex women's procedures. 

 “McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center took a bold step bringing da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery to Lane County in 2006,” states Dr. DiMarco. “Their willingness to train their professional medical staff and work with physicians to implement this innovative technology greatly enhanced, and will continue to enhance in years to come, the surgery and healing experience of many patients in our community.”

Local urology surgeons continue to increase their use of the da Vinci Surgery at McKenzie-Willamette. In 2008 Dr. DiMarco performed the first (in Oregon) partial nephrectomy (kidney removal) using the da Vinci system, and Drs. Doug Hoff, M.D., and Jeffrey Woolsey, M.D., performed the first two cystectomies (bladder removals) also using da Vinci technology.

Gynecologists Geoff Gill, M.D. (Board eligible) and Zena Monji, M.D. (Board certified) use the da Vinci robotic surgery system for the surgical treatment of a broad range of gynecologic conditions, such as fibroids, hysterectomy, endometriosis and vaginal vault prolapse. “Da Vinci surgery for hysterectomy offers numerous potential patient benefits over traditional approaches to vaginal, laparoscopic or open abdominal hysterectomy,” says Dr. Monji.

Benefits of the da Vinci surgery for patients who are candidates for this technique may include a shorter hospital stay, less pain, reduced blood loss, lowered risk of infection and scarring; and best of all, a faster recovery and quicker return to their normal activities.”

Another women’s surgery patient could not be happier with the results of her da Vinci surgery at McKenzie-Willamette in 2008. “Prior to the surgery, I was in a lot of pain and unable to do many of the things I enjoy. Immediately after the surgery, I had very little pain — and no bleeding. During my one-night hospital stay, I barely used the pain medicine. Back home on day two and three, I took a little prescription pain medicine. Within a week of surgery, all I was taking was some over-the-counter pain relievers. . . . I am thrilled with my results, and I am really looking forward to getting back to hiking and being active again.”

Talk with your doctor to see if you are a good candidate for da Vinci surgery. To learn more about da Vinci surgeries at McKenzie-Willamette, call 741-4602 or visit www.mckweb.com.