Edward-Elmhurst Health is now offering the latest advance in robotic-assisted surgery with the acquisition of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. This addition brings to four the number of robotic systems at Edward-Elmhurst hospitals — the new Xi and three da Vinci Si Surgical Systems.

Both the Si and Xi offer the benefits of the robots’ highly flexible wrists: precise and steady movements, and access to difficult-to-reach areas. But the Xi takes the technology to another level, making it possible to use robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery for certain complex operations that would otherwise involve large-incision surgery, longer hospital stays and post-operative pain.

With the Xi system, patients are often out of the hospital in two or three days, with little or no reliance on opioids for pain relief.

Edward Hospital recently marked its 3,000th robotic-assisted procedure using da Vinci, which was first acquired in 2010.

“Initially, the Si system was used for simple surgeries, primarily in gynecology and urology, but eventually its use was expanded to bigger surgeries, such as inguinal hernia repairs and some colorectal surgeries,” says surgeon Peter Petratos, MD, medical director of robotics surgery at Edward Hospital and member of Edward Medical Group.

Before Edward acquired the new Xi system in November 2017, Dr. Petratos used the Si system in an operation to remove the colon from a young woman suffering from ulcerative colitis.

“With the Si system, you are locked in to one confined area at a time. Working on a larger area often requires unattaching the equipment from the patient, repositioning her, and then reattaching it through a new incision,” says Dr. Petratos. “If we had had the new Xi for this surgery, it would have required fewer incisions and been technically easier.”

The Xi features an instrument arm that passes over the operating table, eliminating the need to move the patient and allowing the surgeon-operated robot access from virtually any angle. Also, the bed responds to the robot’s movements, angling the patient as needed.

Some of the Xi’s other innovations include:

• More flexible options for attaching the endoscope, improving visibility of the surgical site
• Equipment modifications that extend reach and range of motion for better access to all areas of the abdomen and chest

While the Xi system is currently at Edward Hospital, surgeons from both Edward and Elmhurst Hospitals have access to it. There are da Vinci Si Surgical Systems at both hospitals.

“The technology also is a facet of Edward-Elmhurst’s commitment to safe and appropriate medication use, especially opioids, in light of the current epidemic,” says Mike O’Shea, service line director of surgical services at Edward. “This approach means enhanced patient safety, less pain, quicker return to their daily lives and better outcomes.”

Adds Dr. Petratos, “And the introduction of the Xi system means even more complex surgeries can have these benefits.”

Learn more about da Vinci and minimally invasive surgery at Edward and Elmhurst Hospitals.