MURRAY, KY – Murray-Calloway County Hospital (MCCH) has taken another step into the future of healthcare and has begun performing minimally invasive robotic surgery in the areas of gynecology, colorectal, metabolic and bariatric surgery and general surgery with its Da Vinci Xi surgical system. This new surgical option builds on the hospital’s greater strategic vision of enhancing its surgical, inpatient and ambulatory care departments to further improve patient experience and clinical outcomes. MCCH projects it will complete more than 150 robotic cases in the first year alone.

The revolutionary system allows physicians to see magnified 3D images of the surgical site in real-time throughout the procedure, while the robotic arms become an extension of the surgeon’s hands, allowing more precision and less pain for the patient during recovery.

“The addition of the da Vinci system is a significant enhancement to our Surgery Department,” said Dr. Brian Swain.

“Several of our surgeons are trained in a variety of gynecologic and general surgery procedures using the da Vinci technology and are eager to begin offering this advanced care at our hospital.”

The da Vinci Xi system translates your surgeon’s hand movements at the console in real time, bending and rotating the instruments while performing the procedure. The tiny wristed instruments move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion. The da Vinci Xi vision system also delivers highly magnified, 3D high-definition views of the surgical area. The instrument size makes it possible for surgeons to operate through one or a few small incisions.

“The addition of robotic surgery will greatly enhance our ability to provide the highest quality surgical care to our patients,” said Jerry Penner, CEO. “For the surgeon it is about having the clearest vision and precision.  For the patient it is about less pain and quicker recovery.  This latest technology supports our mission to patients by always being committed to delivering safe surgery with the most minimally invasive techniques possible.”

Dr. Brian Swain, General and Bariatric Surgeon was the first to utilize the robot during six robotic procedures including a lap sleeve gastrectomy, three lap cholecystectomies, one lap band removal and an inguinal hernia repair.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is a 152-licensed bed medical center located at 803 Poplar Street in Murray, Kentucky.  The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of the Western Kentucky area for over 100 years.  Murray Hospital specializes in such major areas as women’s services, metabolic and bariatric surgery, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, psychiatric services, emergency services and more. Murray-Calloway County Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.