Brookings Health Now Performs Combined Robotic General Surgery & Gynecology Procedures

  • March 28, 2022

General Surgeon Dr. Sara Marroquin, M.D., sits at the da Vinci Xi control console to start a patient procedure. The new da Vinci Xi system has allowed general surgeons and gynecologists to perform combined robotic procedures at Brookings Health System. Performing combined surgeries for qualified patients means a single recovery, less time away from work and less out-of-pocket cost for the patient.
General Surgeon Dr. Sara Marroquin, M.D., sits at the da Vinci Xi control console to start a patient procedure. The new da Vinci Xi system has allowed general surgeons and gynecologists to perform combined robotic procedures at Brookings Health System. Performing combined surgeries for qualified patients means a single recovery, less time away from work and less out-of-pocket cost for the patient.

Brookings Health System has begun performing combined da Vinci robotic surgical procedures for women who require both general surgery and gynecological care.

“The new da Vinci Xi system that we invested in Fall 2021 enables us to offer combined robotic procedures for patients who know they need multiple surgeries,” said Director of Surgical Services Terri Stauffacher, RN. “The da Vinci Xi platform allows our general surgeons and OB/GYNs to use the same set of incisions to perform their respective procedure. Once the first surgery is finished, the robot is reset for the next procedure. Performing combined surgeries means one anesthesia, one recovery period and one time away from work plus less out-of-pocket cost for the patient.”

In addition to the robotic technology, Brookings Health’s smaller footprint gives the surgical team the nimbleness to provide combined surgery requests for qualified patients. General surgeons and gynecologists work together to determine the appropriateness of combined procedures for the patient. The surgeons also modify their schedule to accommodate the patient’s need.

Procedures that may be combined robotically include:

GENERAL SURGERY

  • Gall bladder removal
  • Hernia repair

GYNECOLOGY

  • Endometriosis resection
  • Tubal ligation

As with all robotic procedures, the surgeons remain 100% in control throughout the surgical procedures. Key patient benefits of robotic-assisted da Vinci surgery include decreased pain, a quicker recovery, and minimal scarring. Patients also have less risk of infection, blood loss, and shorter hospital stays.

Brookings Health System is a rural leader in surgical robot integration. The health system gives patients local access to robotic surgery to help them recover more quickly near home. Patients receive the best of both worlds: the most advanced technological care delivered by experienced surgeons and skilled staff who treat patients like family. More information about robotic surgery at Brookings Health can be found at brookingshealth.org/Robotics.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.