David Haack was diagnosed with prostate cancer right when he moved to Montana. “It’s a gut-wrenching experience when they tell you that you’ve got cancer,” he said. “It’s hard to accept.”
David, who had moved closer to his grandchildren, got his diagnosis after a new doctor’s appointment. He had no painful symptoms but might not be here today if his new primary caregiver hadn’t suggested blood testing.
After a series of tests, David decided to undergo cancer-removal surgery. Dr. Nate Readal at St. James Healthcare completed David’s procedure using the most up-to-date robotic surgery equipment.
“We did everything the right way to get to the next step and to get cancer out of my body,” said David. “And so far, I’ve been happy with the follow-up.”
What is robotic surgery?
For many people, such as David, robotic surgery is a minimally-invasive treatment. The practice takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand so that doctors can have greater precision. This technology also means smaller incisions than typical open surgery.
Dr. Readal sat at a viewing console during David's procedure and operated using small instruments. The machine moves in more ways than a human wrist and efficiently targets problem areas.
What are the benefits of robotic surgery?
Robotic surgery, compared to traditional surgery, has many benefits. Every patient is different, but recipients often report less pain and faster healing. Other expected benefits include a lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, and less blood loss.
Patients can experience these benefits at many Intermountain Healthcare locations, such as the Good Samaritan Medical Center. In October 2020, Good Samaritan received a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery accreditation. This means the program met international standards in providing the highest quality robotic surgical care.
Robotic surgery helps patients return to their lives. After his procedure, David could return to his reason for moving – spending time with his grandkids. “I’ve been very impressed,” he said. “It looks like the cancer has stopped, and I can go on with life.”
Learn more about Intermountain Healthcare’s robotic surgery capabilities here.
