THE introduction of robotic surgery has revolutionised the way that many surgeons now perform complex procedures as it offers increased accuracy and control, as well as many potential positive outcomes for patients.
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Wollongong Private Hospital is the market leader of robotic surgery in the Illawarra and South Coast offering the cutting edge da Vinci Xi Surgical System.
Procedures that can be completed with assistance of the da Vinci include: gynaecology, urology and colorectal procedures, with Wollongong Private Hospital soon to commence head, neck and upper gastrointestinal surgery.
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Given the hype around robotic assisted surgery you wouldn't be alone in assuming that it would be a more expensive treatment option.
However, Wollongong Private Hospital is committed to ensuring this state-of-the-art technology is affordable to its patients.
The out of pocket costs depend on the patient's private health insurance policy, but as Wollongong Private Hospital does not impose an extra charge for robotic procedures, it can often be no more expensive to undergo robotic surgery than traditional surgery.
Plus many local surgeons offer a 'known gap' scheme, making robotic surgery even more accessible.
One such surgeon is Dr Dharmesh Kothari, a gynaecologist and obstetrician who commonly uses robotic surgery for a range of women's procedures.
These procedures include excision of endometriosis, removal of fibroid tumours, complex cases of hysterectomy and pelvic organ prolapse.
"I have been doing keyhole surgeries for a long time and in my experience, use of da Vinci technology has made procedures more precise and safer with 3D high definition vision and wristed instruments which move like the human hand but with far greater range of motion," Dr Dharmesh Kothari said.
"This makes the surgery easier, especially in more complex cases.
"Robotic surgery helps surgeons to provide a high degree of surgical precision, which means less tissue trauma, smaller scars and a faster recovery time," he added.
Visit Wollongongprivate.com.au for more information.
Start with a visit to your GP
To undergo robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, it is recommended that patients first speak to their GP and request a referral for any of Wollongong Private Hospital's robotic trained surgeons below.
Gynaecology
- Dr Dharmesh Kothari
- Dr Bindu Murali
Urology
- A/Prof Peter Chin
- Dr Paul Kovac
- Dr Helen Nicholson
- Dr Rahul Rindani
- Dr Matthew Threadgate
General / Colorectal
- Dr Andrew Malouf
- Dr Mario Malkoun
Head and Neck
- Dr Stephen Pearson
Upper GI
- Dr Ulvi Budak
- Dr Mouhannad Jaber
Patients should also check their level of cover directly with their private health fund so that they know how much will be covered when they proceed with the robotic surgery.
As with any surgery there are associated risks and benefits cannot be guaranteed.
