Plans for robot-assisted surgery will forever change procedures in N.L., surgeons say

Plans to introduce robot-assisted surgery tools to Newfoundland and Labrador's health-care system were unveiled to the public on Wednesday, and the Health Care Foundation says it's already over halfway toward its fundraising goal to make it a reality.

Health Care Foundation president and CEO Paul Snow said $4.8 million of a needed $8 million has already been raised since December. It would be used to bring the da Vinci Xi surgical robot system into operating rooms.

"Today marks the beginning of a very bold, new chapter in surgical care in Newfoundland and Labrador," Snow said Wednesday.

"Our ongoing collaboration with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the many generous individuals, organizations, groups, family and friends that are committed to advancing care is what makes this progress possible."

NLHS eastern zone COO Ron Johnson said the technology will change surgery in the province, allowing for minimally invasive surgery to be done in ways not possible before.

"It's going to give shorter recovery times for very, very invasive surgery — Something now that you would have to leave this province to get otherwise," Johnson said. "It's going to benefit us. It's going to be shorter lengths of stay, meaning more people will be able to get more surgeries."

Surgeons in the province are eager to get their hands on the tool, according to Dr. Angela Bussey. A training unit is currently at the Health Sciences Centre, and the hope is that the system can be integrated soon.

"We're going to be able to create a situation in the [operating room] where surgeons are comfortable doing life-saving, complex procedures. And we've not been able to do that in this way to date," Bussey said.

"Envision the deepest, darkest place that you could go, and put a grain of sand there or a little piece of corn. [Then] be like, 'Get that for me.' You could never do it with your hands. But with the da Vinci, you can do that. And think about that being a very small amount of cancer or other disease that someone needs to get rid of. And we're able to do that."

Bussey said it will also serve as a key training tool for surgeons, as the machine's multiple screens will allow surgeons to observe procedures while they are being performed by another surgeon.

She added it can also serve as a key recruitment and retention tool, as cutting-edge technology is brought to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Joannie Neveu, a gynecology oncologist, said it will be a game changer.

"We use the robot as a surgical equipment that is going to be, basically, the extension of what we can do," she said.

"There's also less complication, right? Less bleeding and better recovery. The patient can go back to work or back to their life quicker."

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