Members of the Canton-Potsdam Hospital robotics surgical team are shown with the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System. From left, Senior Director of Surgical Services Jeffrey Eckdahl, RN, CSSM; Director of Robotic Surgery and General Surgeon Michael Oakley, MD, FACS; and registered nurses Kyle Weems, Kaylin Switzer, and Kristie Perretta. SLH photo.

POTSDAM – Canton Potsdam Hospital’s (CPH) Surgical Services department announce the recent arrival of a new da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System, and to further report they are among the first in the nation to have the latest Stryker Surgical Video Camera.

“This is a milestone in surgery at CPH. The da Vinci Xi Surgical System can be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures,” noted St. Lawrence Health Senior Director of Surgical Services Jeffrey Eckdahl, RN, CSSM.

“The surgeon remains in control of the robotic arms at all times from a 3D console next to the patient. This gives the surgeon better visibility and depth perception than other techniques,” he explained.

Director of Robotic Surgery and General Surgeon Michael Oakley, MD, FACS, recently joined the CPH medical team, and came to the Hospital with extensive experience in performing surgery with the da Vinci Xi.

“It is not automatic; the robot simply mirrors the movements of the surgeon inside your body, allowing us to use very small tools and access difficult to reach areas of the body without a large incision. Your surgeon and their team are with you every step of the way,” Dr. Oakley said.

The da Vinci Xi System’s immersive 3D-HD vision system provides surgeons with a highly magnified view; virtually extending their eyes and hands into the patient.

“The da Vinci Xi also allows surgeons to use smaller incisions which decreases our patients’ length of stay in the hospital, and not only shortens their recovery time, but also increases their comfort during recovery,” Mr. Eckdahl said.

Other benefits to robotic surgery include using fewer narcotics after surgery, less scarring due to the tiny incision(s), and there is no additional cost to the patient when this tool is used during their procedure.

Surgeries being performed at CPH this month with the da Vinci Xi include minimally invasive gallbladder surgery, complex hernia work, and colon cancer surgery. In the near future, CPH anticipates the addition of gynecology, ear/nose/throat, and urology procedures as well.

The other new piece of surgical equipment at CPH is Stryker’s 1688 4K Surgical Video Camera System with fluorescence imaging and LED light sources.

“CPH is one of the first in the nation to have Stryker’s new scope technology. This system will give our surgeons crystal clear 4k imaging during laparoscopic surgical procedures,” Mr. Eckdahl said.

With the addition of Dr. Oakley to the medical team, along with the two new pieces of highly advanced surgical equipment, the entire operating room staff are enthusiastic and ready to move forward with the new technology at their disposal.

“The Perioperative staff at CPH is excited to be offering this new service to our community, and have eagerly welcomed Dr. Oakley. Our Robotics Operating Room team began training with the da Vinci at the end of January, and are joined by several already trained team members,” Mr. Eckdahl said.

For more information on General Surgical Services offered through St. Lawrence Health, visit https://stlawrencehealthsystem.org/Services/General-Surgery.