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Local News

Spectrum Health Pennock physician completes 100 robotic surgeries

Spectrum Health Pennock has reached another landmark in its use of robotic surgery.

 

 J. Daniel Woodall, DO, an OB/GYN, performed his 100th robotic surgery case with the da Vinci® Surgical System in November, completing a complex and successful robotic hysterectomy, a news release from Spectrum Health Pennock said.

 

Spectrum Health Pennock surgeons utilize the da Vinci® Surgical System, which allows them to operate through a few small incisions with a 3-D high-definition vision system and wristed instruments, which act more efficiently than human hands. 

 

“We’re very proud of  Dr. Woodall and the entire surgical team for this milestone,” said Douglas Smendik, MD, regional division chief at Spectrum Health Pennock. “As a rural community, we are fortunate to have a strong women’s service line and advance robotic technology that allows us to provide surgical services our patients would otherwise have to travel out of town for right here at Pennock Hospital.” 

 

Patient Tina Sauers received a robotic hysterectomy sparing the ovaries after experiencing symptoms she believed to be due to her permanent contraceptive implant. “A friend posted on Facebook that she was having her EssureÒ device removed because of her symptoms,” explained Sauers.

 

“I had many of the symptoms she and other women were experiencing for years, but never connected it to the device. After seeing my friend’s post, I went to see my doctor and he referred me to Dr. Woodall, who agreed some of my symptoms were similar to those from the device.” 

 

Sauers agreed to surgery utilizing the da Vinci® Surgical System, which would assist Woodall in removing her implant safely. “I was very satisfied with my recovery post-surgery. All I needed was low-dose medication to manage the pain for less than a week and, best of all, since surgery all of my symptoms are gone!”

 

Patient benefits of robotic-assisted surgery include a shorter hospitalization period, quicker healing and return to normal activity, reduced blood loss and reduced post-procedure pain. For the physician using the robot, advantages include an enhanced and magnified view of inside the patient’s body, instruments that bend and rotate farther than human hands and overall enhanced precision and control. 

 

At Spectrum Health Pennock the da Vinci® Surgical System is utilized for many surgeries from hernia repairs to gynecological care.  Andrew Parsons, MD, FACS, chief of staff and section chief and clinical chair of surgery at Spectrum Health Pennock explained,  “Dr. Rappaport and I became certified in robotic surgery when we brought the da Vinci® system to Pennock in 2013. 

 

“We perform a wide variety of basic and advanced general surgery procedures with the robotics system and we are very proud to have the addition of Dr. Woodall to expand robotic surgery options to include gynecological services.

 

"We strive to provide the highest quality care for our patients at all times and with advanced technology, such as the da Vinci® Surgical System we are able to achieve this goal right here in Barry County.”

Combined, Parsons and Rappaport completed 216 surgeries with the da Vinci® robot in 2018; while Woodall completed 50 gynecological surgeries with the robot this past year.

 

“This robotic technology allows me to provide better results for patients including less pain, a quicker recovery and an overall more successful outcome. It is wonderful for our patients to have the benefits of the most advanced surgical system close to home,” Woodall said.

 

Photo: J. Daniel Woodall, MD, an OB/GYN, has performed his 100th robotic surgery with the deVinci Surgical System.

 

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