The commencement of robotic-assisted surgery for some general surgical cases at Buderim Private Hospital marks an exciting new chapter for Sunshine Coast patients.
In a Sunshine-Coast first, general surgeons Dr David Colledge and Dr John Hansen are utilising the state-of-the-art Da Vinci Xi surgical robotic system for selected general surgical patients, including those requiring hernia and bowel surgery.
Buderim Private Hospital has invested over $3 million in the Da Vinci Xi surgical robotic system and has been using the technology to successfully perform minimally invasive prostate cancer surgical procedures since October 2017.
Wallis Westbrook, Buderim Private Hospital General Manager, said the expansion of the hospital’s robotic surgical program heralds a new era for the Sunshine Coast community.
“The expansion of robotic surgical services at Buderim Private Hospital is good news as our community can feel assured that world-class equipment is being used by highly-trained surgeons right here in our own backyard,” Mr Westbrook said.
The purchase of the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical equipment was in part made possible due to the generous bequest of a former patient and local Sunshine Coast resident, Mr Leslie Cairns.
“As a not-for-profit hospital we are committed to reinvesting surplus funds into new services that will benefit our community. We are extremely grateful to Mr Cairns for his charitable gift that has assisted us to make robotic surgical services at the hospital a reality,” Mr Westbrook said.
Dr Colledge said the Da Vinci robotic surgical system is a fantastic tool for allowing increased dexterity for surgeons, as well as enhanced vision, especially in situations where the patient anatomy makes laparoscopic surgery challenging.
“The Da Vinci robot is an exciting innovation and an excellent tool that is proving to be advantageous in selected patients who will benefit most from the minimally invasive surgical approach,” Dr Colledge said.
“The potential benefits of this kind of surgery can include less post-operative pain, less blood loss, less scarring, shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to normal activities,” he said.
Dr John Hansen said the introduction of robotic general surgery has been one of the most exciting developments for patients that he has witnessed in his 30+ years as a general surgeon.
“I consider robotic surgery as one of the greatest technological breakthroughs I’ve witnessed and I look forward to my patients benefiting from this specialised equipment now and into the future,” Dr Hansen said.
Buderim Private Hospital has been serving the Sunshine Coast community since 1980 and is part of UnitingCare Health - one of the largest not-for-profit private hospital groups in Queensland which manages more than 1000 licensed beds across four hospitals.
Pictured: Dr John Hansen (left) and Dr David Colledge (right) with the Da Vinci robot