Does the robot perform the surgery?

This is a very common question and an understandable one to ask! The answer is ‘No’. The surgery is still performed by a trained and certified surgeon. The surgeon will insert the instruments into the keyhole incisions through a trocar, which is a surgical instrument that has a three-sided cutting point enclosed in a tube. Once inside the body, the surgeon will control the robot which in turn will control the arms and use 3-D vision and wrist articulation for precise and accurate movements. The robot will only be active when the surgeon is in control.

Is Robotic Surgery painful?

Since the surgery is performed under anesthesia, you should be able to sleep comfortably throughout your procedure. Depending on the surgery, you may experience some mild pain and discomfort during your recovery, but our team will be able to provide you with instructions on how to minimize any pain.

Will I have to stay in the hospital overnight?

Although this approach does allow for a faster recovery time, the actual procedure will determine if you are required to stay overnight. Most patients can expect to stay overnight so that our team can monitor the progress of their surgery results, but no two surgeries are the same. When you come in for your consultation, your surgeon will be able to inform you of how long you can expect to be under our care. For a better understanding of what your surgery will entail, please refer to its respective page.

What are the risks associated with Robotic Surgery?

One of the greatest things about Robotic Surgery in Las Vegas is the fact that it allows for our trained surgeons to perform surgeries more efficiently and safely. That being said, with any surgery, there are inherited risks that go along with each procedure individually. There are also some very rare complications that are associated with robotic surgery itself, which includes: Your surgeon may need to convert to an open procedure with larger incisions if there are complications. These include scar tissue from previous surgeries that make it difficult for robotic technology to complete the procedure. Risk of nerve damage and compression Robotic malfunction (extremely rare)

Robotic Surgery

In Las Vegas, Nevada

Introduction to Robotic Surgery

Robotics within general surgery is helping to drive the growth of minimally invasive surgery. The procedures performed now range from inguinal and ventral hernia repair to cholecystectomies, foregut, colon, spleen, and bariatric cases. General Surgeons Dr. Peter Caravella, Dr. Jimmy Xu, Dr. Damon Schroer, Dr. Jordan Shively, Dr. Roy Gan, Dr. Dustin Baldwin, Dr. Arthur Fusco, Dr. Colton Lee, Dr. Hasan Hashmi, and Dr. Melissa Miles all specialize in Robotic Surgery at Las Vegas Surgery Associates (LSVA) and provide our patients in Las Vegas, NV an efficient and opioid-free surgery.

robotic surgery instrument | Las Vegas Surgical Associates

What is Robotic Surgery?

Robotic Surgery is surgery that uses tiny keyhole incisions to perform complex robotic motions in the human abdomen. While it’s similar to Laparoscopic surgery (a procedure used to examine the organs in the abdomen), it has the added advantage of using robotic instrumentation that allows our surgeons to perform more complex motions that were previously unavailable. Robotic surgery also offers three-dimensional vision, as opposed to the two-dimensional vision of a standard laparoscope, providing clearer visibility and accuracy for a more precise surgery.

Robotic surgery provides surgical care that enables patients to recover more quickly and get back to what matters in their lives.

The national average of converting laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy is 5%, whereas LVSA’s approach is .09%.
Inguinal Hernia Robot Assist requires narcotics less than 5% of the time.
Robot-assisted colon resection typically discharges in zero to three days.

*Since the incisions made are so small (~8mm), robotic surgery patients tend to have less recovery time, less pain, fewer wound complications, and lower hernia rates.

Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal Hernias Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Inguinal Hernia Robot Assist requires narcotics less than 5% of the time.

Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair

Hiatal Hernias Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Robotic Gallbladder Removal

Gallbladder Removal Advantages of Robotic Surgery.

Robotic Ventral Hernia Repair

Ventral Hernias Advantages of Robotic Surgery

Da Vinci Surgical System

The robot that we use is the Da Vinci by Intuitive Surgical System Integrated Technologies for robotic-assisted surgery. It was designed to enhance surgeon capabilities with the da Vinci surgical system being one of the first robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgical systems cleared by the FDA. Today, a family of da Vinci systems and technologies is used by surgeons in all 50 U.S. states and 67 countries around the world.

Its design also allows for continuous innovation, limited only by a surgeon’s own comfort with the robot. Over the last 20 years, da Vinci platforms have pioneered new capabilities in the OR, transforming the field of minimally invasive surgery. Through more than 5 million surgeries, Intuitive has become the proven leader in surgical robotics, increasing the adoption of minimally invasive surgery. The innovation continues with a new generation of integrated systems and single-port capabilities. Da Vinci platforms are committed to designing minimally invasive solutions that reduce variability in surgery and help deliver better care.

“We are proud to work with amazing technology that is less invasive and provides faster recovery time for our patients.” – Dr. Caravella

Common Surgeries That Are Done With The Robot?

Currently, most general surgeons use robotic surgery when performing the following procedures:

Inguinal hernia repairs
Gallbladder removal
Umbilical or Ventral hernia repair
Hiatal hernia repairs
Colon resection

Other subspecialist robotic surgeries include:

Hysterectomies
Prostate removals
Nephrectomy

The limits of general surgery have not been reached with the robot. As more and more surgeons begin to utilize the benefits of this method and become more comfortable with it, the capabilities of what it can do will increase as well.

What are The Benefits of Robotic Surgery?

Our Las Vegas Robotic Surgery patients are able to reap some wonderful benefits from the treatment, including:

Quicker recovery
Less painful
Shorter hospital stays
Reduced pain and discomfort
Smaller incisions
Reduced risk of infection
Reduced blood loss
Minimal scarring
Opioid free
Patients can return to work sooner
Provides surgeons with more precision and treats hard-to-reach places

operating room for robotic surgery | Las Vegas Surgical Associates

What’s The First Step?

Robotic Surgery Consultation

If you are in the Las Vegas area and require open surgery or Laparoscopic surgery, please discuss your options with your surgeon if Robotic Surgery is an option for you. During your consultation at LSVA, you will meet with your personal surgeon and discuss your current surgical needs. They will evaluate your health, medical history, and lifestyle during this consultation, so it’s very important to be open and honest with them to avoid any unnecessary complications and determine the best and safest techniques for you.

After everything has been discussed and your surgical plan is made, which includes the allocation for robotic surgery, our Patient Coordinator will help you select your surgical date. We will also provide you with

What to Expect on the Day of Robotic Surgery

When you come in for your procedure using Robotic Surgery, you will meet with your surgeon who will review the steps of your procedure. Once you are ready, our on-site Anesthetist will administer your anesthesia so you can sleep peacefully throughout the surgery.

During robotic surgery, your surgeon will sit at a nearby console next to the operating table and control the robotic arms. Small incisions will be made and tiny cameras and surgical instruments will be inserted into them, with the robotic arms used to perform the procedure. A high-definition monitor allows your surgeon to clearly view the operative field and the robot mimics the surgeon’s hand, wrist, and finger movements to guide each instrument in real-time.

Once your surgery is complete, your incisions will be closed up using sutures or a skin adhesive, and covered with a bandage.

Robotic Surgery Recovery

After surgery, you will be monitored in our recovery room until you are released from our care. Most patients can expect to stay overnight for a few days depending on their procedure.

Recovery from robotic surgery is typically shorter than traditional surgery because it’s more precise and minimally invasive. Patients often experience less pain and blood loss with the capability of returning to normal activities in as little as two to three weeks.

How Much Does It Cost?

Robotic Surgery Cost and Insurance Information

The cost of Robotic Surgery in Las Vegas varies on numerous factors, including the surgery you are receiving, surgeon fees, facility fees, and other components. The best way to find out how much your surgery will cost is to come in for a consultation and have your procedure plan created.

Why Choose Las Vegas Surgery Associates?

Las Vegas Surgical Associates is a multi-specialty surgical group that is unique to the Las Vegas area in that we offer services across a broad range of surgical specialties. Our advanced surgical center allows us to utilize modern surgical advancements, such as Robotic Surgery. Our team of doctors comes from a variety of medical backgrounds and as a whole, have affiliations with the American Board of Surgery (ABS), the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), the Society of Laparoscopic Surgery (SLS), and the Society for Surgery of Alimentary Tract (SSAT), the American Hernia Society (AHS), and Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), ASMBS (American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery ), ASCRS (America Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons) – just to name a few. Since we are a group practice, it allows us to have a physician on call who is able to answer any questions and take care of acute surgical emergencies as they arise.

Robotic Surgery FAQ’S

This is a very common question and an understandable one to ask! The answer is ‘No’. The surgery is still performed by a trained and certified surgeon. The surgeon will insert the instruments into the keyhole incisions through a trocar, which is a surgical instrument that has a three-sided cutting point enclosed in a tube. Once inside the body, the surgeon will control the robot which in turn will control the arms and use 3-D vision and wrist articulation for precise and accurate movements.

The robot will only be active when the surgeon is in control.
Although this approach does allow for a faster recovery time, the actual procedure will determine if you are required to stay overnight. Most patients can expect to stay overnight so that our team can monitor the progress of their surgery results, but no two surgeries are the same. When you come in for your consultation, your surgeon will be able to inform you of how long you can expect to be under our care.

For a better understanding of what your surgery will entail, please refer to its respective page.
One of the greatest things about Robotic Surgery in Las Vegas is the fact that it allows for our trained surgeons to perform surgeries more efficiently and safely. That being said, with any surgery, there are inherited risks that go along with each procedure individually. There are also some very rare complications that are associated with robotic surgery itself, which includes:
- Your surgeon may need to convert to an open procedure with larger incisions if there are complications. These include scar tissue from previous surgeries that make it difficult for robotic technology to complete the procedure.
- Risk of nerve damage and compression
- Robotic malfunction (extremely rare)

Schedule a Consultation

If you are in the greater Las Vegas area and interested in the incredible option of Robotic Surgery, please contact Las Vegas Surgical Associates to schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons. You can request a consultation through our website or call us directly at (702) 258-7788, and a friendly member of our team will be in touch with you.

Request Appointment