Powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology, Friday morning, Gulf Coast Medical Center unveiled their newest addition to the hospital: the da Vinci SI HD.

Currently, the da Vinci surgical system is being used in hundreds of locations worldwide; however, Gulf Coast Medical Center is the only hospital in the region to have the da Vinci SI HD.

Dr. Justo Maqueira tells NewsChannel 7 “It is an exciting era of surgery, the minimally invasive procedure helps make for a quicker recovery time for patients.”

Dr. Maqueira has performed over 300 procedures in the area with the da Vinci SI, but says the HD is more cutting edge than ever before. "Precision is key here and what’s fascinating about the entire procedure, is the surgeon's hands never even enter the patient," said NewsChannel 7's Nicole Morten. As a matter of fact, the surgeon is sitting at a console, across the room, peering into binocular-like motion-sensitive lenses at views provided by the camera inside of the patient. The 3D visualization provides the surgeon with the best resolution and viewing area.

NewsChannel 7’s Nicole Morten wanted to give viewers an inside look at the da Vinci SI HD in action, so she sat in during a hysterectomy surgery on Tuesday, December 8th. “Hysterectomy patient’s can actually go home the same day and be back at work within two weeks." And most procedures take around an hour to perform.

As you can see in the video, Dr. Maqueira guides the robot's work by twisting his wrists in stirrup-like handles, moving his thumb and forefinger in scissor-like loops. This enhances his skill and ease of movement, which ultimately filter's out potential hand tremors.

He also taps foot pedals to focus the camera or move the robotic arms. Surgeries are performed through small incisions, which replace the large incisions needed for open surgeries after the initial incisions are made, the robotic arms wielding a tiny camera and surgical tools make the necessary snips inside and sew up inside when all is done...

The minimally invasive robotic procedure offers most patients:
•Shorter hospital stays
•Minimal scarring
•Less pain and blood loss compared to open surgery
•Decreased risk of infection

There are currently seven robotic specialists’ at Gulf Coast Medical Center, four Urologists, and three gynecologists. For more information call 1-877-762-6801.