SIH Herrin Hospital Launches Minimally-Invasive Robotic-Assisted Surgery

SIH Herrin Hospital is thrilled to announce a new era in surgical innovation with the introduction of the da Vinci Xi® robotic-assisted surgical system. This state-of-the-art technology marks a significant milestone in expanding the hospital’s ability to offer minimally invasive surgeries, giving patients in Southern Illinois access to advanced medical care closer to home.

How the da Vinci Xi® Works

The da Vinci Xi® is the most advanced robotic-assisted surgical system available, offering unparalleled precision and control to surgeons. Unlike traditional open surgeries, which require large incisions, or even standard laparoscopic procedures, the da Vinci system uses small instruments that allow for greater dexterity and precision.

While the technology is robotic, it’s essential to understand that the surgeon remains in full control throughout the procedure. The surgeon operates the system from a console, translating hand movements into real-time, precise actions performed by the robotic instruments inside the patient's body. The da Vinci Xi® system enhances this control with 3DHD visualization, providing a magnified view of the operating area. This immersive experience virtually extends the surgeon’s hands and eyes, allowing for complex procedures to be performed with minimal trauma to surrounding tissues.

Patient Benefits

Robotic-assisted surgeries offer multiple advantages compared to traditional open surgery:

• Smaller incisions: Minimally invasive, leading to less scarring.
• Reduced blood loss: Less damage to tissues surrounding the surgical site.
• Less pain and faster recovery: Shorter hospital stays and reduced reliance on pain medication allow patients to return to their daily lives sooner.

Robotic-assisted surgery is a game-changer for our community. Not only does it offer patients faster recovery with less pain, but it also allows us to perform complex procedures that would otherwise require patients to seek care outside of the area. The future is now.

Expanded Surgical Capabilities at SIH Herrin Hospital

The da Vinci Xi® allows for a broad range of surgical procedures across multiple specialties, including:

• General Surgery: Hernia repair, gallbladder removal
• Bariatric Surgery: Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery
• Oncologic Surgery: Cancer-related surgery
• Urologic Surgery: Prostate, bladder and kidney surgeries

Building on a Tradition of Excellence

The addition of the da Vinci Xi® system at Herrin builds on SIH’s well-established robotic surgery program at SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, which has been in operation for over a decade. With the expansion to Herrin, patients throughout Southern Illinois will benefit from the latest in minimally invasive surgical technology. To date, SIH is home to 18 robotically-trained surgeons across the Herrin and Carbondale campuses, making it the largest, most experienced program of its kind in Southern Illinois.

Ribbon Cutting and Open House

To celebrate the launch of the da Vinci Xi®, SIH Herrin Hospital is hosting a special open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at SIH Herrin Hospital, with formal remarks and a ribbon-cutting from 5:15 – 5:30 p.m. All community members are invited to attend.

The event will include:

• Tours of the operating room featuring the da Vinci Xi® system.
• Hands-on demonstrations with the da Vinci simulator
• An opportunity to meet our robotically-trained surgeons

SIH Herrin Hospital Robotic Surgery Team

• Don C. Arnold II, MD Endourology
• Abbasali Badami, MD General Surgery
• Kilali Iyalla, MD  General Surgery
• Cyril Kamya, MD  General Surgery
• Adrian Martin, MD  General Surgery
• Srinivas Rajamahanty, MD  Endourology
• Awni Shahait, MD  General Surgery
• Suven Shankar, MD  Surgical Oncology