Robotic Specialties: Colorectal
At MedStar Washington Hospital Center, we now offer colorectal patients the benefits of robotic surgery. Our colorectal surgeons are board certified in general surgery and colorectal surgery and are experts in minimally invasive, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
Meet our colorectal surgeon, James F. FitzGerald, MD.
Robotic surgery for colorectal conditions in Washington, D.C.
Robotic surgery for colorectal conditions gives our surgeons the ability to perform major surgical procedures in a minimally invasive fashion. Colorectal procedures frequently require the surgeon to work in different areas of the abdomen and within the pelvis.
With the 3-D vision and improved instruments of the robot, we can now overcome these obstacles. Robotic colorectal surgery offers a minimally invasive approach to a wider range of surgical problems and a greater number of patients.
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| During traditional open surgery, you can expect a chest to pubic bone incision. With robotic surgery, colorectal surgery is performed with five small incision. |
Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Colorectal Conditions
Benefits of robotic surgery for colorectal conditions include:
- Provides a surgical option for patients who previously were not candidates for a minimally invasive procedure (either due to the location of the tumor or the patient's anatomy)
- Smaller incisions
- Less pain
- Quicker recovery
- Superior visualization and flexibility compared to laparoscopic and open surgery
- Unique wrist instruments allow the surgeon to operate in the lower pelvic region with less difficulty
Colorectal conditions: Robotic procedures
Robotic surgery is especially advantageous for patients with pelvic conditions.
Patients who may have needed open surgery may be good candidates for a robotic procedure. These procedures include:
- Proctectomy. The surgeon removes all or part of the rectum to treat cancer.
- Proctopexy. This reinforces the support of the rectum for patients with pelvic floor disorders.
A robotic surgery may not be the most appropriate choice for every patient. Our experienced surgeons can perform all types of surgery, including open, laparoscopic and robotic. Your surgeon will choose the best approach to treat your condition.
Contact Us
For more information about robotic surgery, contact us at 202-877-DOCS (3627), or at MedStarWashington.org/doctorsline for further information.