Robotic Surgery

Robotic Surgery services offered in Lone Tree, CO

Robotic surgeries offer the highest accuracy, ensuring minimal pain and a quicker recovery. At the Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery in Lone Tree, Colorado, a part of SOFI Research, LLC, Reginald Bell, MD, and Philip Woodworth, MD, specialize in using advanced robotic surgeries. They can correct digestive disorders like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias using state-of-the-art robotic technology. Call the Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery today or book an appointment online to learn how you can benefit from robotic surgery.

Robotic Surgery Q & A

Woodworth Robotics

What are robotic surgeries?

Robotic surgeries combine minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques with advanced technology for exceptional precision. Your surgeon uses the robot arms to make small incisions in your abdomen. The robot completes the operation using specialized instruments under your surgeon’s direction.

The surgical robot doesn’t do anything without your surgeon’s guidance. It simply provides a greater degree of accuracy and flexibility than performing surgery by hand.

Robotic surgeries result in minimal post-surgical pain and promote faster healing.

What conditions can robotic surgeries treat?

The Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery team performs robotic surgeries to treat several conditions, including:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD develops when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) stops working. The LES is a muscular ring at the bottom of your esophagus that opens when you swallow to let food enter your stomach. It closes afterward to stop stomach acid from flowing back up your esophagus.

If you have GERD, the LES doesn’t close completely, so acid rises and inflames the esophageal lining. The acid causes heartburn (burning chest pain) and can lead to problems like Barrett’s esophagus.

Achalasia

Achalasia results from nerve damage in the esophagus. This nerve damage affects your ability to squeeze food into your stomach, so it gathers in the esophagus.

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia is where the upper part of the stomach pushes through your diaphragm (the large muscle between your abdomen and chest). Hiatal hernias cause similar symptoms to GERD — many people have both conditions.

What robotic surgeries are available?

The Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery team uses robotic-assisted surgery for several procedures, including:

Fundoplication

Fundoplication involves folding the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus. That reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Partial fundoplication folds the stomach part of the way. Nissen fundoplication wraps the stomach right around the LES, a technique Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery reserves for severe cases.

Heller myotomy

Heller myotomy is a treatment for achalasia. It involves cutting the LES muscle to allow food to enter your stomach more easily. Heller myotomy can lead to GERD, so your surgeon might perform fundoplication at the same time.

Hiatal hernia repair

To repair your hiatal hernia, your surgeon pulls your stomach into your abdomen. They might also make the diaphragm opening smaller, reconstruct the LES, or perform fundoplication.

To find out more about the benefits of robotic surgeries, call the Institute of Esophageal and Reflux Surgery today or book an appointment online.