Robotic Surgery at UPMC in Central Pa.

The surgeons at UPMC in Central Pa. are among the most experienced in the region in robotic surgery and have performed more than 7,000 robotic surgical procedures.

Why choose UPMC in Central Pa. for robotic surgery?

The surgeons at UPMC in central Pa. have pioneered robotic surgery in Central Pennsylvania and have been performing robotic surgical procedures for more than a decade. UPMC in central Pa. offers a full range of robotic surgical procedures using the Da Vinci® Surgical System and has consistently been ranked among the best in the field of robotic surgery. 

What robotic surgical procedures do you offer?

Our surgeons are specially trained to perform a range of robotic surgery procedures to treat cancerous and non-cancerous conditions across a range of specialty areas. Our procedures include:

• Bariatric surgery
• Colorectal surgery
• Chest Surgery
• General Surgery
• Gynecologic Surgery
• Head and neck (ENT) surgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Urological Surgery

What is robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery is a safe, effective type of minimally invasive surgery that allows surgeons to perform advanced procedures through several small incisions instead of a large, open incision. During robotic surgery, your surgeon maneuvers the surgical instruments, which are attached to robotic arms, from a console in the operating room. A powerful camera held by one of the robotic arms transmits magnified, 3D images of the surgical area onto a screen on the console. Your surgeon uses this image to guide the robotic instruments with enhanced dexterity, precision, and range of motion.

What are the benefits of robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery uses small surgical instruments that are inserted through small incisions. When compared to open surgery, which requires a large incision, robotic surgery causes less trauma to the body and may provide a range of benefits, including:

• Less pain
• Fewer complications
• Lower risk of infection
• Less blood loss
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster return to normal daily activities

Robotic surgery also provides significant advantages when compared to laparoscopic surgery. Although laparoscopic surgery is also minimally invasive and can be performed through several small incisions, robotic surgery offers increased precision, visibility, and control when compared to laparoscopic techniques. During robotic surgery, your surgeon can:

• View the surgical field more clearly and reduce blood loss since small blood vessels can be recognized and bleeding can be controlled more easily
• Have a full range of motion, mimicking the twist of the human wrist
• Work from all different angles
• Perform surgery in small spaces where the human hand cannot fit
• Eliminate natural hand tremors
• Simultaneously view the surgical field, electronic diagnostic images, and the operating room

Before deciding on surgery, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what treatment is best for you. Your doctor will let you know if robotic surgery is a treatment option for your condition.

Providers

• Find a UPMC Primary Care Physician in Central Pa.