Robotic Surgery

Your surgical experience may be easier than ever thanks to da Vinci® Xi technology at UNC Health Southeastern. Called a surgical robot, this advanced equipment lets surgeons treat you through very small incisions or no incisions at all. That means you benefit from:

• Faster recovery than if you had traditional, open surgery, which uses a long incision
• Less pain
• Smaller scars or no scars
• Lower risk of complications (unexpected problems)

How Robotic Surgery Works

Instead of using their own hands to hold surgical tools, surgeons control the da Vinci Xi robot’s mechanical arms. Compared to human hands, the robot’s arms:

• Bend and rotate further
• Move more precisely and steadily

The robot also includes a high-definition camera that lets surgeons see the inside of your body more clearly and closely than human eyes can see.

All this technology means surgeons can operate on your body in new, less invasive ways. After surgery, you’ll be able to move around more quickly, go home sooner, and feel more comfortable.

Types of Robotic Surgery

Your doctor will tell you if da Vinci surgery is the best approach for your procedure. UNC Health Southeastern sometimes uses it for:

• General surgery, such as hernia repair
• Gynecologic surgery, such as hysterectomy (removal of the womb)
• Thoracic (chest) surgery, including lung cancer treatment
• Urologic surgery, including prostate, kidney, and bladder procedures