Ask the Doctor: Bryan robotic surgery successes began decades ago

Ask the Doctor: Lincoln ob/gyn surgeon James Maly, MD, was an early advocate of robotic-assisted surgery. He performed some of the first gynecologic robotic surgeries in our state in the early 2000s.

Here, he sums up the impressive advancements in robotic surgery at Bryan and discusses current and future innovations.

Bryan robotic surgery successes began decades ago

Q: You have been a key booster of robot-assisted surgeries since their earliest days, when Bryan brought the da Vinci surgical system to Lincoln in 2003. How did you know early on that robotic procedures would have such a positive impact?

We surgeons focus on being precise and efficient to give our patients the best possible surgical outcome.

Using robotic systems, we can very precisely and gently perform delicate operations under perfect magnification and lighting, which can reduce complications, shorten patients’ surgery and anesthesia time, and help them recover as quickly as possible.

Taken together, it was clear from the start that these factors could significantly improve patients’ outcomes, compared to where we were historically, especially with open surgical procedures.

Q: What did Bryan do to support bringing this technological advance to Lincoln?

Early on, Bryan made an important commitment to robotic surgery that really served its patients well. While most hospitals added an extra charge to patient costs because robotic surgery start-up costs were very expensive, Bryan committed to keeping patient’s costs steady.

That made a real difference because more patients had access to this very effective new technology.

And, Bryan has consistently stayed up-to-date as new da Vinci robots have evolved — we now have five of the newest da Vinci systems available at the Bryan Medical Center campuses, and Bryan is one of the investigational sites for Virtual Incision’s new MIRA robotic system, used for colon resection surgeries.

Bryan uses the da Vinci for more than 1,700 surgeries every year. Besides complex inpatient procedures, Bryan offers

an extensive range of outpatient surgeries at costs comparable to those at stand-alone surgical centers.

In short, Bryan helped make robotic surgery widely available in Lincoln while controlling costs so people can access it.

Q: How have things changed in robotassisted surgery over the years?

Robotic surgery is routinely accepted across the world, and today’s surgeons are almost universally trained in robotic techniques.

It’s been my privilege to serve as the medical director of the robotic surgical program here at Bryan, where robotics are used widely, including in gynecologic surgery, colon resection, heart surgery and lung surgery. This technology has expanded from large cities and university medical centers to being available in many regional and community hospitals. So, patients often now can stay close to their homes and families rather than having to travel to access the advantages of robotic surgery.

Q: What’s on the horizon for robotic assisted procedures? Where are we headed?

Impressive new technology continues to roll out, such as “tele surgery,” where the surgeon is at a location distant from the patient, and microsur gery that could shrink the scale of surgical intervention beyond what is visible to the human eye. These new developments are very exciting. Our patients deserve the best technology available, and robotics have led to really outstanding innovations in surgery. Robotics will likely be key to improving our patients’ surgical outcomes long into the future. n

If you have more questions about robotic assisted surgeries, see your physician.

Or you may contact Dr. Maly of Women’s Clinic of Lincoln by calling 402-434-3370.

To learn how you can support the work of Bryan Health, please contact the Bryan Foundation at 402-481-8605.

5da Vinci robotic systems at Bryan allow us to offer a full range of elective outpatient procedures, as well as inpatient surgeries. 20 years experience as a regional leader in this technology. 46 physicians perform robotic-assisted procedures in the areas of general surgery, urology, obstetrics/gynecology, colorectal, acute care trauma and oncology. Savings? Compared to open surgeries, robotic procedures can be less expensive. Patients go home the same day following outpatient procedures, and lengths of stay average 1.4 less days than for surgeries that need inpatient hospitalization.