Adventist Health Castle | Windward Health | Winter 2022

What to know about robotic surgery If your doctor has recommended that you have robotic surgery, you’re hardly alone. Adventist Health Castle offers the robotic precision of the NAVIO and da Vinci Xi robotic surgical systems and a team of surgical experts. These high-tech procedures are now being used for general, bariatric, gynecologic, orthopedic and urologic surgery. But what is robotic surgery exactly? Or perhaps more pertinently, what is it not, since its name suggests that robots perform the surgery? That’s wrong— doctors do. The robotic arms match the surgeon’s hand motions as the procedure is performed. That means the surgeon is in control. Tiny cuts, big benefits Robotic surgery is similar to laparoscopic surgery—a way of operating through a few small incisions. For both procedures, surgeons use a few small cuts rather than one longer incision that is used during traditional, or open, surgery. These minimally invasive approaches allow for: • Faster return to normal activities. • Less scarring and bleeding. • Less need for pain medications. • Shorter hospital stays. Unique advantages Robotic arms may allow doctors to operate more nimbly and efficiently than with traditional laparoscopic surgery. “The da Vinci Xi robotic surgical systems allow me to get a much more precise and 3-D image of the area I’m operating on,” says Jon (Kai) Yamaguchi, MD. “When I started my training for robotic surgery, I felt I was a skilled laparoscopic surgeon, but the more I experienced the robot system, I had increased vision, perception and precision. I now use it on a vast majority of my intra-abdominal cases.” Robots in the operating room Jon Yamaguchi, MD General Surgery Makoto Ogihara, MD General Surgery Linda Rasmussen, MD Orthopedic Surgery Tricia Song, MD Gynecologic Surgery Kenneth Witmer, MD Urologic Surgery Steven Fowler, MD General and Bariatric Surgery IS ROBOTIC SURGERY RIGHT FOR YOU? In some cases, robotic surgery isn’t an option—or it may not be the best choice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of robotically assisted surgeries. Learn more at AdventistHealthCastle.org/Surgery . Our team of expert robotic surgeons Is it safe to have surgery yet? In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals postponed surgeries that weren’t urgent or lifesaving. The reason? To help curb the spread of COVID-19 and conserve resources for the most ill patients. Based on current COVID-19 rates in our area, we are confident all procedures can now be safely resumed. Safety is our priority If you and your doctor agree that you should have surgery now, you can trust our team. We’re grateful for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate through these unparalleled times. The actions of our healthcare team remain focused on your health and safety. We would like to congratulate our entire team for receiving another “A” safety rating from The Leapfrog Group. We continue to earn the best safety rating because our associates and providers uphold the highest safety standards. And while we are proud of our “A” ratings, knowing we are providing you and your ‘ohana with the very best care is what matters most. 6 | WINDWARD HEALTH