Confluence Health celebrates 2000th Robotic Surgery with special event

WENATCHEE - Visitors to Confluence Health Hospital Central Campus were in for a surprise this past week as they were greeted by an eight-foot-tall, four-armed surgery robot at the entrance. The unusual sight was part of a celebration marking the 2000th robotic surgery performed at Confluence Health.

In partnership with Intuitive, the company behind the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot, Confluence Health commemorated this milestone by bringing in a traveling surgical robot for community members, staff, and others to experience firsthand. The demonstration device, identical to the one used by surgeons at Confluence Health, showcased the robot's capabilities in tackling a wide range of surgical needs.

Attendees also had the opportunity to try out two console control centers, which surgeons use to operate the robot while seated, using hand and foot controls and a magnified, high-definition, 3-D view. 

“Since I started robotic surgery four years ago, it has been a game-changer in the types of surgery I can do for my patients and allows for much quicker recovery,” reflected Dr. Catherine Straub, general surgeon at Confluence Health. “For example, an abdominal wall hernia or colon surgery might normally require five to six days in the hospital to recover, but, with robotic surgery, they may be able to go home in as little as one to two days.”

Liz Dittbrender, perioperative service director, added, "Because of the ability to have full 360° mobility with the instruments, surgery with a robot helps surgeons to do more while being even less invasive than laparoscopic surgeries. This cuts down on recovery time as well, so patients can go home sooner."

Wenatchee High School students studying medicine also attended the event, taking the opportunity to learn about medical technology from Intuitive representatives and participate in a Q&A session with Dr. Straub about her experience in medicine and advice for aspiring healthcare professionals.

Tracey Kasnic, former chief nursing officer and current career and technical education coordinator at Wenatchee High School, accompanied her students along with emergency medical technician (EMT) and allied health instructor Dustin Armitage. "It's important to give students this opportunity since they get to see the huge number of roles available in healthcare," Kasnic remarked. "There is the surgeon, who is the captain of the ship, but there are also med techs, nurses, and many others – including technology like the surgery robot – that play important parts in care."