Robotic Surgery

Robot-assisted Surgical Procedures Improve Recovery Time

Loyola Medicine offers robotic surgery for a number of surgical procedures that would otherwise require large incisions and long recovery times. Robotic technology is one of the minimally invasive procedures offered at Loyola and is designed to provide surgeons with enhanced capabilities, including breakthrough visualization, precision and control.

Robotic surgery is now being used regularly by Loyola’s cardiologists, otolaryngologists, oncologists, gynecologists, gynecologic oncologists, urogynecologists, urologists and other specialists. Our surgeons use advanced robotic approaches for the treatment of many conditions, including:  

Why Choose Loyola for Robotic Surgery?

Our surgeons prefer to employ a minimally invasive approach to surgery whenever possible and have vast experience with robotic surgery.

As part of an academic medical center, Loyola’s expert clinicians perform and teach the latest surgical techniques and medical treatments in numerous locations across the Chicago area.

In addition, our nurses have earned Magnet status, which means they have been recognized for delivering the highest level of care. Loyola patients also have access to the latest drugs and therapies through our clinical trials.

What to Expect with Robotic Surgery

The robotic system works by translating your Loyola surgeon’s hand movements on the robotic controls into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments that are inserted into the body. A tiny camera is inserted through a small incision so that the surgeon can see inside the body on a 3D screen.

Working through tiny incisions, your surgeon controls every move of the robotic arms from a computer console. The robot’s arms are fully jointed, allowing them to turn and grasp with more agility and precision than the human hand.

For patients, the benefits of robotic surgery over open surgery are significant and may include:

• Faster recovery time
• Less scarring
• Quicker return to normal activities
• Reduced blood loss
• Shorter hospital stays
• Smaller incisions

Although many procedures take about the same amount of time as an open-incision surgery, the recovery time is reduced because you do not have to heal from a large incision.

What are the Risks of Robotic Surgery?

One of the great advantages of robotic surgery is that it minimizes risk. However, all surgery involves some risk, including:

• Breathing problems due to anesthesia
• Death
• Heart attack
• Infection
• Stroke

There also may be other risks, depending on your condition. Your Loyola surgeon will explain these risks in detail before the procedure.