Since March 2006, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center has been providing what may seem like healthcare from the future -- robotic-assisted surgery. The second medical center in Oregon to invest in the da Vinci® Surgical System, this service has since offered the revolutionary  benefits of minimally invasive surgery to Oregonians outside the Portland area.

In fact, since it's introduction at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, more than 600 surgery patients have benefited from use of the da Vinci Robotic Surgery system.

A variety of surgeons utilize the portable $1.6 million da Vinci® S™ system in several of McKenzie-Willamette's operating rooms. Urologists were the first local surgeons to use the system, performing minimally invasive radical prostatectomies (prostate removal), partial kidney removal (nephrectomy) and bladder removal (cystectomy).

A traditional, open radical prostatectomy requires two days of hospitalization and recovery lasting about four weeks. With robotic-assisted surgery, those times can be reduced. Not all patients will be suitable candidates for robotic-assisted surgery. Those who are, typically experience less bleeding, pain and scarring, as well as a quicker return to their routine activities.

For more information about robotic-assisted surgery at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, call Oregon Urology Institute, 484-0221 / 746-1618 or the Center for Women's Health, 686-7007.