Warren Memorial Hospital Launches Robotic-assisted General Surgery Program

WMH’s new robotic surgical system offers greater precision and improved patient outcomes

In January, Warren Memorial Hospital (WMH) began performing robotic-assisted general surgery procedures using the da Vinci® Xi Surgical System. John T. English, III, MD, general surgeon at Front Royal Family Practice and Multispecialty Clinic | Valley Health, performs the robotic-assisted procedures with the Surgical Services team at WMH.

“Compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery, the da Vinci® allows the return of wrist motion in minimally invasive surgery,” says Dr. English. “This is huge because the procedures can proceed faster and with less tissue tension, which means less pain for the patient.”

The da Vinci® Xi Surgical System at WMH consists of a device with interactive robotic arms that the surgeon controls from a nearby console. Because the da Vinci’s arms are wristed and able to bend and rotate with a broader range of motion than the human hand, the system gives the surgeon far greater dexterity than could be achieved using a traditional approach. The stable robotic arms can be outfitted with a range of surgical instruments and provide unparalleled steadiness and precision for the operating surgeon.

“Some people get the wrong idea when we tell them we have a da Vinci surgical robot,” Dr. English says. “It is important to remember that the surgeon is still doing the surgery, and the da Vinci is non-autonomous. Think of someone playing a great piece of Bach on the organ. The organ is making the sounds, but the organist is the one playing the instrument. In this case the robot is the organ, and the physician is the musician playing the piece. It is a technology that will be adopted more and more, because it is the gold standard.”

The benefits of the robotic surgical system go beyond flexibility, precision and control. The 3D-HD visualization the surgeon experiences while operating in the console provides enhanced depth perception and highly magnified real-time visualization of small structures in the body.

All of this taken together allows the operating surgeon to perform a highly complex procedure through small incisions, resulting in less pain, tissue damage and scarring, as well as quicker recovery times for the patients.

The da Vinci is designed for use in body-cavity surgeries, primarily abdominal and intra-abdominal procedures such as hernia repairs and surgeries involving the gallbladder, appendix and colon. The first procedures at WMH began in January following extensive staff training in the use of the technology.

“The Surgical Services team at Warren Memorial Hospital is thrilled that our community now has access to leading-edge da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery,” said Kristina Wolf, MSN, RN, CNOR, director of Surgical Services at WMH. “This innovative technology not only enhances precision, it minimizes recovery time, making it easier than ever for patients to get back to their lives. We’re so proud to bring this best-in-class care to Warren Memorial Hospital to serve the needs of our local community.”

The da Vinci® Xi Surgical System is the second surgical robot WMH has brought to the community in recent years, following the addition of the Mako Robotic Surgical System for orthopedic surgery in 2022. This is a significant milestone for WMH, reflecting the hospital’s continued investment in advanced treatment options for patients in Front Royal and Warren County.

“Adding the da Vinci robot keeps Warren Memorial Hospital competitive with other advanced surgical programs in the country,” said Jennifer Coello, vice president, operations, and administrator, Warren Memorial Hospital. “As we continue to recruit new surgeons to come to the area and join our team, a growing number of them will have been trained in robotics during residency and will be eager to use this innovative surgical system in their practice. Having this technology here at WMH allows us to continue to be at the forefront of providing high-quality care for patients in our community, and that’s what matters most to us.”

Below: members of the Surgical Services team at Warren Memorial Hospital pose with the da Vinci® Xi Surgical System.