Albany Hospital Launches Integrated OR for Robotic Surgery June 15, 2022 In February 2021, Samaritan Albany General Hospital brought online a da Vinci Xi with the E-100 generator robot to assist with laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgeries. Now, the robot has a fully integrated suite where lights, video and equipment can be controlled from a computer. Samaritan Albany General Hospital is the first Samaritan facility to have the fully integrated operating room. This technology offers the most up-to-date technology the medical field has to offer. It allows surgeons the ability to perform more complex procedures and provides benefits to both patients and surgeons. Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to see better with 10x magnification in 3D and use fully wristed articulating instruments with energy for precise movements and dissection. It also creates an ergonomic environment which helps reduce fatigue throughout the day and extend the longevity of a doctor’s career. Patients benefit from a surgery that is less painful, allows for quicker recovery, requires fewer narcotics, offers shorter hospital stays, has less conversions and less readmissions. “We are dedicated to providing safe, high-quality patient care at Samaritan Albany General Hospital,” said April Jensen, DO, general surgeon. “Access to this surgical technology helps us provide the most advanced laparoscopic techniques available.” Procedures using the robot include bariatric, hernia and colorectal surgeries, as well as urologic and gynecologic procedures. The hospital currently has 11 surgeons trained on the da Vinci robot. Frederic Bahnson, MD – general surgery. Daniel Dowswell, DO – gynecologic surgery Shane Gjesdal, MD – gynecologic surgery. April Jensen, DO – general surgery. Erika La Vella, DO – bariatric surgery. Layron Long, MD – urology. Marie Ray, MD – general surgery. Andrew Sweeny, DO – general surgery. Leonel Trujillo, DO – gynecologic surgery. Kathleen Yang, MD – gynecologic surgery. To date, 310 robotic-assisted surgeries have been completed at Samaritan Albany General Hospital and 40 of those have been performed in the new suite. The $1.3 million project was partially funded with a $700,000 gift from the Albany General Hospital Foundation. To learn more about other projects being funded by Samaritan Foundations, visit samhealth.org/Giving. To learn more about robotic-assisted surgery, visit samhealth.org/Robotics.
