Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses a computer-assisted technology to aid in surgical procedures. Rather than operating on patients through large incisions, surgeons use miniaturized surgical instruments that fit through a series of small incisions to reduce scarring and recovery time.

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center offers two different robotic technologies to patients. One is utilized for various types of robotic-assisted surgeries in the following specialties: Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Gynecology/Oncology, and Urology. The second robotic technology is used by Orthopedic surgeons for hip and knee replacements.

Robotic Surgery History:

• Early 2021, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center was the first to bring the Mako Orthopedic robotic system to Lane County. Expanding the robotic technology is a testament to the commitment of offering the latest technology to patients. The Mako robotic technology offers another option for patients seeking a hip or knee joint replacement.
• In 2019, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center purchased a second da Vinci Xi robot due to the increased request by patients for the minimally invasive technology.
• In early 2018, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center expanded robotic technology to general surgery. Surgeons utilize the minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery for various conditions in the abdomen and digestive tract.
• In March 2011, ENT surgeon David Tom, M.D. performed the first robotic-assisted throat surgery at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center. Called trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS), it is used for removing tumors of the throat, larynx, tonsils and tongue base. Dr. Tom, along with the McKenzie-Willamette robotic surgical team, has successfully performed TORS for tonsillectomies and removal of a tongue base tumor.
• In late December 2010, McKenzie-Willamette invested in the next generation of robotic surgery technology by installing two systems with dual consoles. Dual consoles provide teaching opportunities by allowing surgeons to work side by side with robotic-enabled assists.
• In 2006, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center became the second medical center in Oregon to invest in a robotic-assisted surgical system. Since then, more than 5,000 robotic surgeries in various specialties have occurred and surgery patients have benefited from its use.

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center now offers various types of robotic-assisted surgeries in several departments including:

• Colorectal Surgery
• General Surgery
• Gynecology/Oncology
• Orthopedics
• Urology