Robotic Assisted Surgery Now Available at Northeast Regional Medical Center

6/1/2023

Demonstration planned for Kirksville Chamber of Commerce After Hours Event on June 6.

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Northeast Regional Medical Center is taking minimally invasive surgery to the next level with the addition of new robotic equipment. Minimally invasive techniques are advanced through the use of robotic assisted equipment, allowing surgeons to perform more complex procedures.

The new equipment features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. The robotic assisted technology allows surgeons to operate using the tiniest incisions - with greater vision, precision and control.

“We are excited to offer this technology to Kirksville and the surrounding communities,” NRMC Interim Chief Executive Officer Dwayne Blaylock said. “With the new robot, surgeons trained in this surgical instrumentation are now able to provide a number of minimally invasive surgical procedures vs. a traditional laparoscopic surgical approach.”

Dr. Steven Lyons, general surgeon at NRMC, is trained in this highly specialized surgical robotics approach.

“Robotic surgery can offer a faster recovery for patients as opposed to traditional open or laparoscopic surgery,” Dr. Lyons said. “It is our goal to provide safe and compassionate care. Patients typically experience a shorter recuperation period with less intense pain and many can usually return to their normal routine in a shorter period of time. In some instances we are actually able to have better visualization to perform safe surgery and it allows us to do some parts of surgeries more effectively.”

While not all patients are good candidates for robotic surgery, those that are good candidates are given the option of utilizing this advanced technology vs. a more traditional surgical approach. Examples of surgical procedures that have benefitted from robotic surgery include, but are not limited to: inguinal hernia, ventral hernia, umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, hiatal hernia repair, urologic (prostate) surgery, general laparoscopic surgery, gynecologic surgery such as hysterectomies and ovary removal for benign conditions, certain thoracic procedures, gallbladder removal and early stage (T1 or T2) cancers.

A demonstration of the new surgical robot is planned for Tuesday, June 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. in NRMC’s Conference Room 4 during a Kirksville Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. Guests can enter at the main entrance and take the elevator down to level 1.

Back