Dual surgery sets new standard for robotic surgery program at KHSC

A patient recently had gallbladder and colorectal surgery.

A breakthrough form of surgery at Kingston Health Sciences Centre has reached new heights.

The robotic surgery program has been going on at KHSC for several years.

Dr. Sunil Patel, a surgeon at KHSC, says this minimally-invasive procedure builds on previous forms of surgery.

Robotic surgery has been used on patients who require work on areas such as gallbladder and colorectal.

But recently, for the first time, surgeons at the hospital have been able to utilize robotic surgery on both areas of a patient at the same time.

Patel, along with Dr. Sean Bennett, performed the dual surgery. 

He says this allows doctors to treat more symptoms and patients to recover more quickly.

The feedback from patients who underwent robotic surgery appears to be overwhelmingly positive.

Patel says many are extolling the virtues of this procedure.

Kingston is one of a few hospitals in Canada and around the world that perform robotic surgery.

Patel believes this type of procedure will be the future of medicine.

He also credits the support of hospital executives and staff in the success of the program.

Story by Ken Hashizume