Clinical Care

Robotic Surgery Debuts

SURGICAL PRECISION: Nurse Ivelisse Vicente assists in a procedure led by surgeon Jean Joseph. (Photo: Medical Center Public Relations)

A 60-year-old Rochester woman became the first patient at Strong Memorial Hospital to undergo surgery with new robotic technology assisting the operating room team. Introduced last fall for laparoscopic procedures, the system includes a robotic arm and laparoscopic cameras that are guided by surgeons. Doctors say patients should see faster recovery times and lower chances of infection or other complications. “This is the future of surgery,” says surgeon Peter Knight, who operated the robotic technology in the debut procedure.