Department of Surgery

Robotic surgery is lead by surgeons and enhanced with technology that enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few small incisions with the assistance of highly technical robotic arms. These robotic procedures most often result in shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, minimized scarring, and faster recovery times. For example, in the treatment of pediatric gallbladder disease, the gallbladder is removed through a very small incision hidden in the belly button.

Among robotic procedures performed by surgeons in the Albany Med Health System:

Robotic Lung Surgery

Ion Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy
Albany Medical Center offers this minimally invasive option for earlier detection and treatment of lung cancer. The Intuitive Ion Endoluminal System enables lung specialists to obtain tissue samples from deep within the lung, addressing a challenging aspect of lung biopsy.

Robotic Cardiac Surgery

Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement
An abnormal or damaged mitral valve cannot completely seal the heart’s left ventricle, resulting in poor blood flow. In some cases, a mitral valve can be repaired with surgery that rebuilds the tissue of the leaky valve with the help of an artificial band. Robotic surgery is performed through a few tiny incisions between the ribs, avoiding the need to split the breastbone and ribcage.

Atrial Septal Defect
An atrial septal defect is a hole in the wall of the atrium, which is the upper chamber of the heart. If left untreated, an atrial septal defect can result in heart failure or stroke. For appropriate patients, robotic repair offers a number of potential benefits over traditional open surgery.

Robotic General Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery
Weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) is one of the most effective treatments for obesity. Gastric bypass surgery resizes the stomach limiting the food intake and calorie absorption. It can be performed open or laparoscopically, and, some patients are candidates for robotic gastric bypass surgery.

Cholecystectomy
Robotic surgical removal of the gallbladder is performed through a single incision in the naval.

Hernia Repair
A hernia occurs when part of the internal organ bulges through a weak area of muscle. Hernias are often found in the abdomen or groin and can can be repaired by laparoscopic or robotic surgery.

Pediatric Surgery

The Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center offers robotic surgery to our littlest patients. The most common pediatric robotic surgeries are for the treatment of gallbladder disease and acid reflux.

Robotic Urogynecological Surgery

Hysterectomy
Robotic assisted hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus.

Ovarian Cyst and Tumor Resection
Most ovarian cysts do not require surgery. However, when a cyst grows larger and causes pain, surgery may be recommended.

Pelvic Prolapse (Sacrocolpopexy)
In pelvic prolapse the uterus, cervix, bladder or vagina slip out of position when the muscles and ligaments supporting them lose strength. Pelvic prolapse repair returns the organs to their positions inside the pelvis.

Myomectomy
Removal of uterine fibroids can be performed robotically.

Urological Surgery

Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy
This is a less invasive approach to the treatment of kidney cancers (renal cell carcinoma).

Robotic Assisted Prostatectomy
This is a less invasive approach to prostate removal.

Cystectomy
Robotic assisted cystectomy is a less invasive approach to the removal of the bladder and treatment of bladder cancer.

Other robotic surgeries performed at the Albany Med Health System:

• Sympathectomy (destruction of nerves)
• Nephroureterectomy (removal of a kidney and its ureter)
• Hemicolectomy (partial colon removal)
• Pyeloplasty (reconstruction of the kidney pelvis)