The Future is Now: How Robotic Surgery is Transforming Healthcare at Lee Health

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern medicine, robotic-assisted surgery stands as one of the most significant technological leaps forward. At Lee Health, this innovative approach has become a cornerstone of its surgical program, revolutionizing patient care and medical practices alike.

"When we started our robotic surgery program 14 years ago, we couldn't have imagined how transformative it would become," says Juan Ibarra, MD, Program Manager of Robotic Surgery for Lee Health. "What began with a single system has evolved into a comprehensive program that touches virtually every surgical specialty we offer."

A decade of robotic excellence

Since 2010, Lee Health's Robotic Surgery Program in Southwest Florida has grown to keep pace with the region's population increase and demand for care. 

Today, the program boasts 29 robotic devices across four hospitals and outpatient facilities, with over 16,300 procedures performed. 

How robotic surgery works

Robotic surgery represents the perfect marriage of human expertise and advanced technology. Rather than replacing surgeons, these systems enhance their specialized skills, allowing for unprecedented precision and control.

"Think of it as giving surgeons superpowers," Dr. Ibarra says. "The robotic system translates the surgeon's hand movements into smaller, more precise actions at the surgical site while eliminating natural hand tremors. Meanwhile, the surgeon gains an enhanced, high-definition 3D view of the surgical field that's simply impossible with conventional approaches."

The result is a surgical experience that benefits everyone involved – most importantly, the patient.

Patient benefits that matter

For patients considering surgery, the advantages of robotic-assisted procedures are substantial and life-changing.

"What patients notice immediately is how different their recovery feels," Dr. Ibarra says. "With smaller incisions, there's significantly less pain and discomfort after surgery. Many of our patients are surprised by how quickly they're able to return to their normal lives."

These benefits extend far beyond comfort, Dr. Ibarra notes. Robotic-assisted surgery continues to demonstrate the following:

• Improved clinical outcomes through standardized procedures
• Unprecedented surgical precision, especially in hard-to-reach areas
• Minimal scarring and faster healing
• Dramatically reduced post-operative pain
• Significantly shorter hospital stays
• Lower risk of surgical complications

The potential of the advanced technology to safely expand the scope of minimally invasive surgery is profound. For example, Dr. Ibarra cites Lee Health’s robotic-assisted hysterectomy.

"I am incredibly proud of our surgeons and care team for making a safe same-day discharge for many of our patients who undergo robotic hysterectomy," he says. "Patients typically complete their entire journey – from check-in to discharge – in just eight hours. That's a procedure that traditionally required several days in the hospital."

The short recovery time doesn't just improve patient experience; it also makes healthcare more affordable, creates capacity for more patients to see their doctors sooner, and reduces overall costs associated with lengthy hospital stays and extended recovery periods.

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: A speedy recovery at home thanks to robotic-assisted surgery

The surgeon's perspective

While patients reap the most benefits, the advantages for surgeons and the healthcare system are equally significant.

The ergonomic design of robotic systems addresses a serious but seldom-discussed issue in surgery: physician fatigue. Traditional surgical positions can be physically demanding, potentially affecting performance during lengthy procedures.

"Surgeon comfort might not seem important to patients, but it directly impacts surgical outcomes," Dr. Ibarra explains. "The robotic console allows surgeons to operate from a seated position with their arms supported, reducing fatigue dramatically. This means better performance and concentration, especially during complex procedures that might take several hours."

The systems also provide unparalleled training opportunities, allowing surgeons to refine their skills through simulation before ever working with patients.

"The robotic platform has revolutionized surgical education," Dr. Ibarra says. "Our surgeons can practice complex procedures in a simulated environment that provides immediate feedback. This accelerates the learning curve and ensures our team maintains the highest level of skill."

A diverse robotic toolkit

Lee Health's commitment to robotic excellence is evident in its extensive array of specialized systems, each designed for specific surgical applications.

The foundation of its program starts with Intuitive's da Vinci Xi, dV5, and SP systems, which handle procedures across multiple specialties, including general surgery, gynecology, urology, cardiothoracic surgery, and ENT.

"Different surgical needs require different robotic solutions," Dr. Ibarra says. "We've carefully built our program to include systems optimized for each specialty."

Beyond the da Vinci platforms, Lee Health has incorporated specialized robots, including:

• Zimmer Biomet ROSA for precise joint replacements
• Globus Medical ExcelsiusGPS for neurosurgery applications
• Procept AquaBeam for minimally invasive prostate procedures
• Intuitive's ION for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy

"Our ION system has been particularly transformative in lung cancer diagnosis," he notes. "In just over two years, we've performed over 1,000 procedures and diagnosed more than 648 patients with lung cancer. The precision of this system allows us to reach nodules that would be inaccessible with conventional methods, leading to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes."

The future of robotic surgery at Lee Health

As impressive as Lee Health's current capabilities are, Dr. Ibarra and his team are always looking forward to the next innovations.

"Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing what's possible in robotic surgery," he explains. "We're already seeing AI applications that provide objective performance metrics, helping surgeons continuously refine their techniques. Soon, we'll have systems that offer real-time guidance during procedures, further enhancing precision and outcomes."

Lee Health is actively evaluating several promising FDA-approved technologies to expand its surgical capabilities, which include:

• Edison from HistoSonics for non-invasive treatment of solid tumors
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for prostate cancer treatment
• Maestro from Moon Surgical to enhance laparoscopic precision

"What excites me most is how these technologies work together to create entirely new treatment standards," says Dr. Ibarra. "We're moving toward approaches that are increasingly precise, less invasive, or not invasive at all, like histotripsy and HIFU. And each one personalized to each patient's unique needs."

The human element remains key

Despite the advanced technology, Dr. Ibarra emphasizes that the human touch remains at the heart of Lee Health's robotic surgery program.

"These robots don't perform surgery – the surgeons and members of the operating do," he clarifies. "We never lose sight of the human touch in our program. Everything we do is focused on one question: how can we provide better care for our patients?" Dr. Ibarra says. “Ultimately, the success of advanced robotic surgical procedures depends on our dedicated and highly trained support teams to effectively use this technology to improve patient quality of life.

Robotic surgery is an incredible tool that helps us answer that question in ways that weren't possible just a few years ago. I'm proud of what we've built, but even more excited about where we're headed."

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