WATERBURY, Conn. — Robots in the operating room are nothing new but for a community hospital like Saint Mary’s in Waterbury, their latest acquisition is a big step forward.
“This is rocket science for the operating room,” said Dr. Husnain Kermalli, the chief medical officer at Saint Mary’s Hospital.
Kermalli was part of the celebration for doctors, nurses, and staff to bring their latest surgical robot up to speed.
The robot, known as the da Vinci X-I is billed as the latest surgical system available in the robotics realm.
Dr. Kermalli added that the technology is a plus for patients in the community who now don’t have to travel far to benefit from the service.
“if you ever need it, now it’s in your backyard,” Kermalli said. “You’re talking about improved recovery time, less time in the hospital, lower complication rates, all of these pieces of the puzzle are just better.”
Dr. Shady Macaron, who is the head of the robotic committee at Trinity Health New England and a weight loss surgeon at Saint Mary’s, said the new da Vinci (Saint Mary’s now has three) is versatile in what it can provide.
“From gallbladders to weight loss surgery, lung cancer, and some institutions are doing open heart surgery with the robots," said Dr. Macaron.
Dr. Kermalli reiterated that having another robotic surgical system is, overall, a benefit for both practitioners and patients alike.
“To have a team that knows how to use it (the da Vinci Robot) effectively and efficiently -- it's fantastic for the patients coming to the hospital," said Dr. Kermallo.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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