The latest surgical technology paired with highly experienced surgeons

At HCA Midwest Health, highly experienced surgeons use the latest technology to deliver the most accurate and effective care possible. Robot-assisted surgeries performed at our six Kansas City hospitals range from minimally invasive outpatient procedures to complex operations.

Surgical robots are another tool for your surgeon. Robotic surgery technology can help a surgeon with the positing and control of surgical instruments, and can lead increased accuracy and improved outcomes.

Six of our Kansas City hospitals offer robotic surgery for a variety of service lines and conditions. HCA Midwest Health hospitals have:

  • Performed over 1/3 of all robotic surgeries in KC over the last six years
  • Helped over 3,400 people using robotic technology in 2019
  • 28 robotic surgical systems
  • Nearly 100 robotically trained physicians
For more information about surgery and the technologies we use, call us at (800) 386-9355.

Robot-assisted surgeries we perform

We strive to deliver innovative, evidence-based care with the best possible results. Our surgeons treat adults and kids with a full spectrum of surgical procedures using state-of-the-art systems and techniques. We are equipped to care for you in a comfortable, compassionate environment.

Robot-assisted surgeries we offer include:

  • Abdominoperineal resection, or APR (removal of the anus, rectum and sigmoid colon)
  • Adrenalectomy (removal of one or both adrenal glands)
  • Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder)
  • Common bile duct exploration
  • Distal pancreatectomy (partial or total removal of the pancreas)
  • Heller myotomy (surgery to treat a condition inhibiting the passage of foods and liquids into the stomach)
  • Hernia repairs
  • Joint replacement
  • Liver resection (partial or total removal of the liver)
  • Pancreatic cystectomy (surgery to treat pancreatic cysts)
  • Pyloroplasty (surgery to widen the opening in the lower part of the stomach)
  • Splenectomy (partial or total removal of the spleen)
  • Transversus abdominis release, or TAR (surgery to treat complex hernias)

Our robot-assisted technologies

As robot-assisted surgery continues to advance, so do our technologies. At HCA Midwest, we are committed to using leading-edge surgical systems, some of which are even specially tailored to certain procedures, like joint replacement and spine surgery. Currently, our doctors use:

  • Robotic-assisted system for minimally invasive lung biopsy
  • Single–port surgical system for procedures requiring only one incision
  • Surgical system for laparoscopic procedures
  • Enhanced accuracy in spine surgery using a robotic arm and navigation system
  • Robotic–arm assisted surgery system for hip and knee replacement
  • Surgical system for knee replacements to increase accuracy when positioning an implant
  • Knee system for total knee replacement

Robot-assisted surgeries offer a wide range of benefits; however, patient benefits will vary depending on the type of surgical system being used and the procedure being performed. For robotic laparoscopy, patients can expect advantages like smaller incisions, whereas other technologies may allow our surgeons to bypass cutting certain ligaments that may otherwise prolong recovery times. Other systems allow surgeons to perform procedures with better precision and accuracy, leading to improved patient outcomes

Robotic laparoscopy

Robot-assisted laparoscopy allows surgeons to perform extremely complex operations through a few small incisions. This provides greater precision, control, visibility and access to hard-to-reach areas.

This technique offers the same benefits as traditional laparoscopy when compared to open surgery. We perform robotic laparoscopy procedures in a variety of specialty areas, including:

  • Bariatric surgery
  • Colorectal surgery
  • Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery
  • General surgery
  • Gynecologic surgery
  • Pediatric surgery
  • Single-incision laparoscopy
  • Surgical oncology
  • Thoracic surgery
  • Urologic surgery

Benefits of robot-assisted laparoscopy

Robotic technology helps surgeons control surgical instruments more precisely than what's possible using traditional methods. This can lead to increased accuracy and improved outcomes. Other benefits of robotic surgery include:

  • Fewer side effects
  • Less blood loss
  • Less scarring
  • Quicker recoveries
  • Reduced risk of infection
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Significantly less pain
  • Smaller incisions

Single-incision robotic laparoscopy

HCA Midwest Health is the first and only health system in the Kansas City metro area to offer single-incision robotic surgery, allowing our surgeons to perform the most minimally invasive surgeries possible.

Robot-assisted gynecologic surgery

Surgical specialists who are experts in gynecologic care perform several minimally invasive surgeries, including:

  • Endometriosis resection (surgery to treat a condition where the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus)
  • Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
  • Myomectomy (removal of fibroids from the uterus)
  • Oophorectomy (removal of one or both ovaries)
  • Pelvic organ prolapse repair (surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse)
  • Salpingectomy (surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes)

Pediatric surgery

We perform pediatric surgery to meet the needs of children in a cheerful and kid-friendly environment. Our team of fellowship-trained, board-certified pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, child life specialists, pediatric nurse navigators and other caregivers are devoted to supporting pediatric patients every step of the way.

In 2016, doctors at Overland Park Regional Medical Center performed the first pediatric robot-assisted surgery in the region, proving our dedication to the advancement of minimally invasive technology for pediatric care. Our pediatric surgical subspecialties include:

  • Pediatric ear, nose and throat care
  • Pediatric gastrointestinal care
  • Pediatric pulmonary care
  • Pediatric urological care
  • Prenatal and neonatal surgical care
  • Surgeries for fetal anomalies, including fetoscopic laser ablation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)

Robot-assisted joint replacement surgery

Our advanced robotic systems allow surgeons to personalize joint replacement surgery based on each patient's unique anatomy. With the aided precision and planning available using robotic technologies, we can improve the feel, function and longevity of our patients' implants.

We use the latest in robot-assisted technologies for hip and knee joint replacements, including:

  • Knee Surgical System — This system uses a handheld robotic surgical instrument that increases the accuracy of an implant's positioning during a knee replacement. Increased precision during surgery can lead to improved function, feel and longevity of the implant.
  • Robotic–Arm Assisted Surgery System — When using this technology, our surgeons can personalize each hip or knee replacement surgical plan based on the patient's unique anatomy. During the procedure, one of our orthopedic surgeons will guide the robotic arm to a predetermined surgical area—the surgical system ensures the robotic arm remains within the surgical space, reducing the potential for error. Once in the correct position, the surgeon will control the robotic-arm while placing and aligning the implant with increased accuracy.
    • Menorah Medical Center offers a downloadable app for notifications pre- and post-surgery. Additionally, surgeons can use a smart knee implant for those patients who are candidates for the technology. The implant gathers information about your new knee after surgery such as range of motion, step count and average walking speed, and sends it directly to your care team through the app.
  • Knee System — This system is used to enhance knee replacement surgeries, using data and advanced imaging to create a surgical plan that is based upon each patient's unique anatomy. The data and imaging information provided by the surgical system allows our doctors to better predict outcomes prior to making any incisions.

After surgery, surgeons, nurses and physical therapists set goals with the patient to get them back up and moving.

Enhanced surgical recovery (ESR)

Our facilities practice enhanced surgical recovery (ESR), enabling patients to take a more active role in their clinical care. Benefits of ESR include:

  • Being able to eat sooner after surgery
  • Faster recovery times
  • Reduced nausea
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Successful pain management