Robotic Surgery | Spectrum Health

/ Robotic Surgery

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Minimally invasive robotic surgery

If you need surgery, you want to recover and get back to your life as quickly as possible. Our goal at Spectrum Health is to offer surgical options that can get you in and out of the hospital with a quick recovery time. Spectrum Health is excited to offer our patients minimally invasive robotic surgery options across 10 different specialties.

We have performed the most robotically assisted procedures in West Michigan—more than 20,000 since 2006, when we first invested in robotics technology. In 2022, Spectrum Health became the first place in West Michigan to offer single incision surgeries using the da Vinci SP, the safest and least invasive approach for urology and ENT procedures.

Spectrum Health has 11 locations offering minimally invasive robotic surgery capabilities, so you have access to quality care close to home.

Kristina's story

Once a pro boxer and prison guard, Kristina King had long been sidelined by injuries. After robot-assisted surgery, she's back on the move.

How does minimally invasive robotic surgery work?

The da Vinci® surgical system assists surgeons while they perform the surgery with an advanced set of instruments. The surgeon is in control the entire time and guides robotic arms with a console. The surgeon’s hand movements are translated in real time to maneuver the robotic arms, increasing precision and dexterity.

Robotics allows for better visibility through the use of miniature 3D, high-definition cameras. The robotic arms can bend and rotate in more ways than the human wrist can, allowing surgeons to make more delicate, precise and stable movements. The size of the instrument allows for surgeons to operate through only a few small incisions.

Patient benefits

Robotic-assisted surgery might be a great option for you. It’s less invasive than other conventional methods and offers benefits such as:

Quicker recovery times. You want to get back to living your life. Robotic-assisted surgery is often referred to as minimally invasive because it offers smaller incisions, which means quicker recovery time.
Less pain. Because there are fewer, smaller incisions involved in robotic-assisted surgeries than conventional open surgeries, most patients experience less pain.
Lower risk for surgical site side effects. Minimally invasive surgeries are associated with less scarring and a decreased risk for blood clots, blood loss and infections.
Fewer hospital re-admissions. Patients who undergo minimally invasive surgeries have a lower rate of hospital readmission than patients who undergo more traditional surgical methods.

Discuss with your physician whether robotic surgery is right for you.

Specialties and subspecialties

With more than 80 robotically trained surgeons, we offer minimally invasive surgery across many specialties, including:

Advantages of robotic surgery

Spectrum Health expands robotic treatments to the benefit of patients. Surgery recovery can be difficult, taking weeks for patients to get back on their feet. At Spectrum Health, we are working to get people back to their normal lives faster. Learn more about our program in the video below.