General Robotic Surgery

At St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, we offer our patients a wide range of robotic-assisted surgical procedures. Our surgeons include some of the region’s leaders in performing robotic procedures for general surgery. Using robotic surgery, our team can offer you the most precise surgery possible, leading to less pain and a shorter recovery. Our team is with you very step of the way, guiding you through the treatment and recovery process.

Robotic Surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North

Our surgeons undergo extensive training to use the da Vinci® Surgical System, the most sophisticated surgical system available. The surgical system allows us to perform surgery with unprecedented accuracy.

We create a personalized, comprehensive surgical plan that meets your needs. We always have your best outcome in mind. If you are not a candidate for a robotic procedure, keep in mind that our surgeons have the experience and expertise to perform all types of surgery. We will choose the approach that will offer you the optimal result.

Robotic Surgery in Tampa, FL: Robotic Surgical Procedures We Perform

We offer a wide range of robotic surgical procedures. We will discuss your procedure with you in detail and answer any questions you may have. During robotic-assisted surgery, your surgical team:

  • Makes several tiny incisions around the operating site.
  • Inserts the miniature instruments and high-definition camera.
  • Performs the procedure. The camera provides unprecedented detail and real-time images, while the sensitive instruments respond accurately to your surgeon’s commands.
  • Removes the instruments and camera and closes the incisions.

Learn more about robotic-assisted:

  • Adrenalectomy
  • Nissen fundoplication (anti-reflux surgery)
  • Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
  • Heller myotomy
  • Hernia repair
  • Splenectomy
  • Stomach cancer treatment

Adrenalectomy

If you have an adrenal tumor, we may recommend an adrenalectomy, a procedure to remove your adrenal glands. The goal is to reduce the excessive amounts of adrenal hormones your body may be producing. 

The adrenal gland is especially well suited to a robotic procedure because of its small size and relatively difficult location. Robotic surgery allows your surgeon to remove the glands without affecting the surrounding, healthy structures.

Nissen Fundoplication (Anti-Reflux Surgery)

Nissen fundoplication is a procedure to prevent acid from flowing backward into the esophagus. We often use this procedure to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). During the procedure, your surgeon wraps the top part of your stomach around your esophagus.

This treats GERD by:

  • Preventing the backflow of acids
  • Repositioning the angle of the esophagus as it enters the stomach
  • Tightening the passageway through the esophagus

Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)

Your doctor may recommend a cholecystectomy if you have severe gallbladder symptoms. Left untreated, gallbladder inflammation can lead to serious conditions such as an enlarged or ruptured gallbladder. 

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North now offers single-site cholecystectomy. This means we make only a single incision in your bellybutton. We remove the gallbladder and close the incision, leaving virtually no scar.

Heller Myotomy

We may recommend a Heller myotomy if you suffer from a swallowing disorder called achalasia. Achalasia causes the upper esophageal muscles to weaken, making it difficult to swallow food and liquid. During a Heller myotomy, surgeons cut the esophageal sphincter muscle. This relaxes or widens the valve between the stomach and esophagus, making it easier to swallow. We may perform a Nissen fundoplication at the same time, to prevent GERD from developing.

Hernia Repair

A hernia occurs when the inner abdominal muscles have weakened. This leads to a bulge or tear. The inner muscles can push through the abdomen, looping around abdominal tissue or an intestine and causing severe pain. The surgery tightens the abdominal wall and closes any openings. We often place a piece of mesh over the area to hold the muscles in place.

Splenectomy

A splenectomy is a procedure to remove your spleen. We may recommend it if you have a condition such as an enlarged spleen or certain cancers or blood disorders. During the procedure, your surgeon removes the spleen through a small incision and then closes the incision.

A robotic approach is advantageous because it offers the most precise surgery to remove this delicate organ. Surgeons can remove the spleen without affecting surrounding, healthy structures.

Stomach Cancer Treatment

We may recommend a robotic procedure to treat stomach cancer. We use two procedures to treat stomach cancer:

  • Subtotal (or partial) gastrectomy. Your surgeon removes the cancerous portion of your stomach, reconnecting the healthy parts so your digestive system continues to function.
  • Total gastrectomy. Your surgeon removes the entire stomach. He or she reattaches the esophagus to the small intestine. You will need to make dietary changes, which we will discuss in detail with you.  

Learn more about robotic surgery at St. Joseph’s: