William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
Cutting Edge Surgeries for Veterans
Madison VA Operating room staff stand in front on the hospital’s new da Vinci Xi surgical robot. On October 14th, Madison VA doctors performed their first operation using the da Vinci Xi. On the forefront of surgical innovation, the Madison VA Operating Room (OR) utilizes two robotic platforms: the Artis zeego and the da Vinci Xi. With access to cutting edge equipment and techniques, the Madison VA is able to provide more surgical options to Veterans, with 366 Veterans selecting robotic surgery since 2014.
Cutting Edge Technology Offers More Surgical Options to Veterans
MADISON, Wis. — On October 14th, Madison VA doctors performed their first operation using their new da Vinci Xi robot.
On the forefront of surgical innovation, the Madison VA Operating Room (OR) utilizes two robotic platforms: the Artis zeego and the da Vinci Xi.
The da Vinci Xi is a fourth-generation surgical system that facilitates Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) across a wide spectrum of surgical procedures, while the Artis zeego is a unique robotic technology that enables smoother, and swifter patient positioning and execution of endovascular/peripheral vascular procedures.
“We began a robotics program in 2014,” said Kyle Richards, MD, Chief of Urology. “We perform a wide variety of robotic surgeries including robotic radical prostatectomy, robotic kidney surgery, and robotic bladder surgery.”
With access to cutting edge equipment and techniques, the Madison VA is able to provide more surgical options to Veterans, with 366 Veterans selecting robotic surgery since 2014.
“Robotic surgery affords the patients smaller incisions and less blood loss,” said Richards. It allows the surgeon the ability to see the anatomy more precisely. All of this adds up to a shorter hospital stay, less post-operative pain, and an earlier convalescence.”
Controlled by a surgeon from a console, the da Vinci Robot is designed to facilitate minimally invasive cardiac, ear nose and throat (ENT), and general surgery.
Real-time 2D, 3D, and soft tissue visualization supports immediate decision-making and provides surgeons’ instant control for better patient outcomes.
“The equipment that we own is driven by world-class surgeons through our affiliation with the UW Health University Hospital here in Madison”, said Rooney Freimund, RN, Chief of Peri-Operative Nursing. “Our equipment rivals and even surpasses some of the Level II Trauma Centers that I have been a part of.”
On October 14th, Madison VA doctors performed their first operation using the da Vinci Xi robot. The da Vinci Xi is a fourth-generation surgical system that facilitates Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) across a wide spectrum of surgical procedures.
Beyond robotics, the Madison VA is one of five VA hospitals in the country to offer a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) program.
Since April 2015, 25 HeartMate II and HeartMate III devices have successfully been implanted in Veterans from as far away as Connecticut and Texas at the Madison VA.
Previously, Midwest VA patients needing an LVAD would go to the UW Hospital for their surgery.
A battery-operated implanted heart pump (LVAD) can help the heart pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The LVAD is small and connects to a power source located outside of the patient’s body. Patients wear the external power source, which must always be worn, like a carrier bag.
The device has shown sustained improvement in quality of life and functional status. The LVAD can be used for patients with advanced heart failure needing short- or long- term mechanical circulatory support. The Madison VA implants LVADs as a bridge to heart transplant (short-term) and destination therapy (long-term).
“In September 2017, we were the first VA to implant the HeartMate III. We were the second hospital in the state [of Wisconsin] to commercially implant the device” said Stacey Vorlander, BSN, RN, Heart and Lung Transplant Coordinator.
The Madison VA OR also offers Ellipsys procedures, a minimally invasive and cost-effective method to create a percutaneous arteriovenous (AV) fistula for hemodialysis access for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease.
“The Madison VA is extremely fortunate to offer our Veterans state-of-the-art equipment and technologies through the VA’s Commitment to Excellence,” said Freimund.
A Holmium laser was procured in 2019 as another avenue for prostate surgery and removal of kidney stones.
“This high-powered laser decreases operative time and allows for the safe removal of larger kidney stones and larger prostates without making an external incision,” said Richards.
The Madison VA Operating Room (OR) hosts approximately 2,800 surgical cases every year.
There are 14 surgical services that work in the six operating suites, performing procedures ranging from a same-day tooth extraction to a complex open-heart surgery.
The operating room team is comprised of highly skilled nurses, surgical technicians, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and anesthesiologists that are familiar and competent with all surgical service lines and procedures offered.
In June 2013, the operating room moved from the 8th floor to 7th floor. The remodel of the operating room allowed for an additional operating suite to be added and incorporated a hybrid suite for interventional and endovascular surgical procedures.
The remodel increased the capacity for cases and allowed for longer hours in the Operating Room four days/week.
The longer work hours enable services with large patient volumes to schedule longer cases and/or more cases per day.
“Our Veterans expect the highest standard of care,” said John Rohrer, hospital director. “Providing the latest technology in health care and surgical techniques allows us to meet that expectation and uphold our Nation’s promise to provide outstanding health care services for our Veterans.
For more information about the Madison VA Hospital, visit www.madison.va.gov or www.facebook.com/MadisonVAHospital.
