In December 2014, Dr. Nathan Richard’s at Intermountain Avenues Specialty Clinic successfully performed the first minimally invasive Whipple procedure in Utah with the assistance of the da Vinci Surgical System. Commonly done as an open surgery, the Whipple procedure is used to remove cancerous or benign tumors from the pancreas.
For patients diagnosed with pancreatic tumors the minimally invasive approach is an improvement to the traditional open procedure. Patients that undergo minimally invasive surgery commonly experience a shorter hospital stay, reduced pain, and a quicker recovery. Utilizing the advanced technology of the da Vinci robotic system, procedures that are typically open surgery, like the Whipple, can be performed minimally invasive.
The minimally invasive approach to the Whipple used 5 small incisions, the largest being about 1 ½ inches, rather than a 10-12 inch incision commonly used in open surgery. Dr. Richards controlled a camera and small surgical instruments inserted through the incisions to remove portions of the pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct and small intestine.
Dr. Richards, who has performed numerous Whipple procedures using the open surgical approach, was impressed with the high definition, magnified, three dimensional views the robotic system provided. “The visualization of the surgical field is mind blowing. It allows me to clearly identify and manipulate tissue to control bleeding and remove the cancerous area.”
Dr. Richards performed the surgery at Intermountain LDS Hospital, one of four Intermountain hospitals to utilize robotic surgery. Intermountain LDS Hospital is one of the few hospitals in the nation to offer a minimally invasive Whipple procedure. While not every surgery will need to use the robotic system to produce the best results, this advanced technology is another tool that Intermountain surgeons have to improve outcomes and provide our patients with the best care possible.