Silver Cross Hospital performed the area’s first da Vinci Single-Site Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal surgery) on Nov. 1, 2012.

Using robotic assistance, Dr. R.A. Gamagami, board certified general surgeon, and a surgical team at Silver Cross removed the patient’s gallbladder through a tiny one-inch incision in the belly button, leaving only a small, nearly invisible scar.

Gamagami, who was also the first physician to perform a single-incision gallbladder surgery two years ago at Silver Cross, believes the robot offers better visualization through enhanced magnification and 3-D vision, allowing for a safer, less traumatic, quicker recovery and superior cosmetic outcome. 

 A sponsored article by Silver Cross Hospital.

Da Vinci is a robotic surgical system widely used in complex, minimally invasive surgery; however, it was only in December 2011 that the Food and Drug Administration cleared the specialized Single-Site instruments for use with the da Vinci robot.

Gamagami is one of a small group of surgeons in the country who has received training to perform the surgery, and one of several on staff at Silver Cross Hospital.

“Single-Site instruments used with the da Vinci platform are the next step in the evolution of surgical technologies,” Gamagami said. “We are truly excited to be a leader today in the surgical treatment of tomorrow.”

Potential benefits of Single-Site gallbladder surgery may include virtually scarless results, minimal pain, low blood loss, fast recovery, a short hospital stay and high patient satisfaction. The surgery can be performed in about one hour with a typical hospital stay of less than 24 hours. 

How it Works

During the procedure, the surgeon sits comfortably at a console, viewing a 3D, high-definition image of the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera.  In real-time, the system translates the surgeon's hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments inside the patient.

Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring three to five small incisions, this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly button where instruments are placed and the diseased gallbladder is removed.

Most people who require gallbladder removal are candidates for the robotic, single-incision surgery. According to the American College of Surgeons, surgery is the recommended treatment for gallbladder pain from gallstones and non-functioning gallbladders.

More than 1 million people in the U.S. have their gallbladder removed each year. Most are performed with traditional laparoscopy using several incisions.

Silver Cross began offering robotic surgery in the new hospital at I-355 and Route 6 in April 2012 and has since performed over 150 procedures for urology, gynecology, colorectal and digestive diseases. For a referral to a surgeon who performs robotic surgery, call 1-888-660-HEAL.