For nearly two decades, Virtua Health has embraced robotic-assisted surgery to enhance patient outcomes, establishing itself as a leading provider of the advanced surgical approach both regionally and nationally.
The South Jersey-based health system has performed more than 43,000 robotic-assisted procedures since 2006, ranging from hernia repairs to hip and knee replacements, as well as colorectal, gynecologic, and urologic surgeries. More than 80% of all surgeries at Virtua are performed robotically, including more than 90% of joint-replacement procedures.
“Virtua is a regional and national leader in robotic-assisted surgery,” said Dr. John Matsinger, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Virtua Health. “Nationally, we are among the centers doing the highest percentage of surgeries robotically. We know it works really well for patients, so we’re committed to it.”
Robotic-assisted surgery allows for greater precision, smaller incisions, shorter recovery times, less postoperative pain and fewer complications, according to the health system. Virtua’s robotic procedures are performed by more than 70 board-certified, robotically trained surgeons who complete over 5,500 operations annually across 10 specialties.
“Robotic-assisted surgery allows for greater precision, smaller incisions, shorter recovery times, less postoperative pain and fewer complications.” – Virtua Health
Virtua uses 22 next-generation robotic surgical systems, including the Mako and da Vinci platforms. The health system ranks in the top 1% nationally for volume of Mako robotic hip and knee replacements—performing the third-highest number in the U.S. among 1,800 organizations—and nearly double that of the next busiest provider in the Greater Philadelphia/Delaware Valley region.
Virtua is also among the first 70 health systems in the U.S. selected to receive the newest da Vinci robotic surgery system, based on its high usage and expertise in robotic soft tissue surgery. The da Vinci system is used in procedures such as hernia repair, prostate removal, bariatric surgery and hysterectomy.
Colorectal surgeon Dr. Keith Meslin ranks in the top 1% nationally for number of da Vinci colorectal surgeries performed.
“Our robotic-assisted surgeons and teams do these procedures every day, so they are truly experts at using the technology,” Matsinger said. “That means better outcomes, including less time in surgery and under anesthesia.”
Virtua has increasingly become a destination for robotic-assisted care, drawing patients from across the country and even internationally, including from Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Michigan and beyond.
“Robotic assistance makes me a better surgeon,” said Dr. Jeremy Reid, a joint-replacement specialist at Virtua. “I’m able to execute the plan for that patient with greater precision, every time.”
Reid added that robotic joint-replacement patients often feel better faster, with shorter periods of inflammation and quicker returns to activities of daily living such as walking, climbing stairs and participating in sports.
Virtua also offers robotic-assisted joint replacements at ambulatory surgery centers, allowing many patients to return home the same day.
“This is one of our hidden gems,” Matsinger said. “Many people can have their hip or knee replaced by a top-notch robotic surgeon at one of our ambulatory surgery centers, then go home the same day and sleep in their own bed that night.”
In addition to clinical care, Virtua plays a leading role in education and collaboration. Its surgeons train peers from other health systems, helping expand access to robotic-assisted surgery nationwide. Internally, the health system fosters collaboration between administrators and surgeons to ensure the best technology and practices are in place.
“Our various surgical practices also work well together and support each other,” Matsinger said. “This collaborative spirit is part of Virtua’s ‘Culture of WE.’ It allows us to innovate and be more successful.”
Virtua also partners closely with robotic device manufacturers to ensure timely access to equipment and support for its surgical teams.
“The number of times you use the technology, the access to the most advanced technology, and the level of training that each surgeon has—that’s an incredibly important part of taking that robotic technology and using it to its fullest,” said Dr. Geoffrey Bowers, a gynecologic surgeon at Virtua.
How robotic-assisted surgery works
Robotic-assisted surgery involves the use of small instruments operated by the surgeon from a console with hand controls. The surgeon views the site through a high-definition, 3D camera for magnified visualization, allowing greater flexibility and precision than traditional surgery.
In joint replacement procedures, software is used to create a 3D model of the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon then guides a robotic arm and uses computer navigation to follow the model, allowing for accurate placement and better results.
