Why choose Cook Children’s for minimally invasive and robotic surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery, including robot-assisted techniques, can apply to many types of surgeries and conditions. It has transformed the field of pediatric surgery by offering safer, gentler and more precise treatment options for children. At Cook Children's, we use these approaches whenever possible to minimize pain and speed healing for your child.
What is robotic surgery?
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery. The robotic surgery system includes a computerized console and movable robotic arms. The surgeon sits at the console and uses wristed controls to move the robotic arms. Both laparoscopic and robotic techniques involve performing complex procedures through small incisions. However, robot-assisted surgery offers additional benefits, including:
- Better visualization: One robotic arm has a high-definition, 3D camera that’s inserted into one of the incisions. It offers a clear and magnified view of the surgical site.
- Improved access to difficult-to-reach areas: Other robotic arms hold small surgical instruments that are inserted into other incisions. The robotic arms and instruments have a wider range of motion than human wrists and hands.
- Enhanced precision and control: Robotic arms allow the surgeon to make extremely controlled and precise movements during the procedure.
These advantages translate to greater consistency and better outcomes for complex procedures.
Benefits of minimally invasive surgery in children
These modern surgical approaches are particularly beneficial for young patients whose bodies are still growing and developing. Specifically, smaller incisions and increased surgical precision lead to:
- Decreased pain and discomfort
- Faster recovery and shorter hospital stays
- Minimal scarring
What is minimally invasive surgery?
This technique enables surgeons to diagnose conditions and perform operations using small incisions, specialized instruments and cameras to guide the procedure. Minimally invasive surgery is often an alternative to traditional open surgery, which involves larger incisions and more invasive procedures.
Our pediatric surgeons use minimally invasive techniques for numerous procedures in babies, children and teens. They can treat appendicitis, repair hernias, remove tumors, correct congenital (birth-related) conditions and much more. This approach is especially valuable in kids, whose bodies are smaller and still developing. Minimizing physical trauma from open surgery helps children recover faster and safely return to normal activities, such as eating, walking, playing and going to school.
Many minimally invasive procedures involve the use of a special scope, an instrument with a light source and miniature camera on the end. The scope projects images onto a monitor and surgeons use the images to examine organs and structures and perform procedures. Common minimally invasive surgical procedures include:
Bronchoscopy: Doctors use this procedure to evaluate and treat your child's airways. They insert a scope through the nose or mouth, so there are no incisions involved. Bronchoscopy enables doctors to diagnose diseases or blockages, obtain fluid or tissue samples and remove foreign bodies.
Laparoscopy: The surgeon makes tiny incisions in your child's belly. They insert the scope in one incision and small instruments in other incisions to examine organs within the abdomen and pelvis and treat abnormalities or disease.
Thoracoscopy: Your child's surgeon makes a few small incisions in the ribs to evaluate and perform procedures on the lungs, esophagus or other organs and structures in the chest cavity.
Intestinal Endoscopy: Doctors use a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera to look at the lining of your child's belly. They can even remove foreign bodies if needed to get a closer look.
Your advanced practice provider team
- Jay Pearson, PA-C, Pediatric Surgery APP Supervisor
- Bruce Beasley, PA-C, APP Manager
- Bethany Reaves, PA-C
- Brad Maddy, PA-C
- Brock Street, PA-C
- Caitlin Trivett, PA-C
- Erin Cribbs, PA-C
- Grant Kirby, PA-C
- Jacob Lustgarten, PA-C
- Katie Parmley, PA-C
- Rebecca Wu, PA-C
- Sydney Zahorik, PA-C
- Treva Badger, PA-C