“This new technology is amazing”: Robotic System Debuts in Mountain West

“I am incredibly happy that I avoided a big surgery,” said William Peck, the first patient to undergo the first transanal robotic surgery in the Mountain West at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center (P/SL) in Denver.

The advanced technology allows physicians to perform minimally invasive surgery, using robotics, and access hard-to-reach anatomy within the rectum and colon.

“We are pleased to offer patients a less invasive procedure for faster recovery with minimized pain,” said Colorectal Surgeon Warren Strutt, MD, the first physician to use the technology for this purpose in the region. “The flexible instrumentation and new 3D HD camera allow for unprecedented access and visualization of hard to reach anatomy including colon and rectal lesions. This allows for excision of large polyps and early cancers that often require far more invasive procedures such colon and rectal resections.”

Mr. Peck was pleased with the procedure and recovery time, saying: “The surgery was short, recovery was quick and I am now pain-free. I am amazed to be heading home just two days post-surgery.”

Colon cancer is treatable, especially when caught early, Dr. Strutt says in a P/SL YouTube video. Typically, patients can have the surgery performed with the robot, admitted for observation for 24 hours and are then sent home. Most patients don’t require any pain medication and are followed up within a week or two in the office.

“We came from Wyoming because Presbyterian/St. Luke’s has one of the largest robotic programs in the region with industry-leading experts,” said Mr. Peck’s son, Tom. “This new technology is amazing, not just for my father but also me, his caregiver.”

Fifteen years ago, P/SL was the first in the region to purchase a robot that replaced large-incision abdominal surgeries with a minimally invasive approach.

“Presbyterian/St. Luke’s is proud to be the only hospital in the Mountain West to offer procedures with the new, flexible robotic-assisted surgical platforms,” said Anthony Canfield, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Robotic Surgery at P/SL.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Screening colonoscopies with advanced technology have changed physicians’ ability to detect these cancers at an earlier stage, making colon cancer preventable, treatable and curable.

Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center is an affiliate of HCA Healthcare.

HCA Healthcare 50th Anniversary
In 1968, HCA Healthcare was conceived by two physicians and an accomplished business leader — Dr. Thomas Frist Sr., Dr. Thomas Frist Jr., and Jack Massey. This year, HCA Healthcare celebrates its golden anniversary and the culture of caring established by our three founders 50 years ago. To help us celebrate our 50th year, we’ll share stories here that reflect HCA Healthcare’s mission – above all else, the care and improvement of human life – and our pledge to improve life and make history for the next 50 years and beyond.