Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery uses advanced, tested, and proven technology to ensure you receive the most precise and effective surgery possible. Board-certified general surgeon John Bollins, DO, at Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, leads the most experienced and successful robotic surgery team in the Northland. If you need surgery, you owe it to yourself to call one of the offices in Hibbing, Duluth, and Ely, Minnesota, and learn if they can perform your procedure with minimally invasive robotic surgery. You can also request an appointment online.

What is robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure using the state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic system. Calling it robotic surgery may conjure images of a robot taking charge of your procedure, but that’s not how it works.

These surgeries are robotic-assisted. Dr. Bollins controls the robotic arms, which hold the instruments.

The following da Vinci technologies enhance Dr. Bollins’ skills and produce precise results:

Sensitive finger controls

Dr. Bollins uses highly sensitive finger controls to manipulate the robotic arms, which are smaller than human hands and can easily reach small spaces inside your body.

Extensive movement

The robotic arms have human-like wrists, but better. They’re equipped with technology that allows fine movement and a range of motion that’s superior to human hands. The robotic components also filter out natural hand tremors that can occur during surgery.

Superior visualization

Another advantage is that the da Vinci 3DHD visualization gives Dr. Bollins an exceptional view inside your body. The robotic system transmits 3D images with up to 10X magnification. The robotic technology further boosts visualization by highlighting specific structures.

What procedures are done with robotic surgery?

Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota can perform nearly every type of general surgery procedure using robotics, including:

• Anti-reflux surgery
• Gallbladder surgery
• Hernia repair
• Colon surgery
• Weight loss surgery
• Appendectomy
• Pancreatic surgery
• Stomach surgery
• Small intestine surgery

No matter what type of general surgery you need, they take a hands-on approach, offering personalized attention from your first appointment through your postsurgical care and recovery.

What are the advantages of robotic surgery?

In addition to the many benefits of da Vinci robotic technology, you also gain health advantages from minimally invasive surgery. These procedures use tiny incisions and surgical instruments narrow enough to fit through the small opening.

Small incisions cause significantly less trauma. By comparison, open surgery requires long incisions large enough to let the surgeon’s hands reach into your body.

Most people undergoing minimally invasive surgery have:

• Less bleeding during surgery
• Diminished pain after surgery
• Lower risk of infections
• Shorter time in the hospital
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to activities
• Minimal scarring

In some cases, minimally invasive surgery allows you to have an outpatient procedure and go home the same day instead of spending time in the hospital.

To learn more about robotic surgery, call Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota or request an appointment online today.

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