Robotic Surgery Center

da Vinci® ... Changing the Experience of Surgery at Sebastian River

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition that may require surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn about all of your medical options, including the most effective, least invasive surgical treatments available.

The da Vinci® Surgical System provides surgeons with an alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy, putting a surgeon's hands at the controls of a state-of-the-art robotic platform. The da Vinci System enables surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision.

For the patient, benefits may include:

• Smaller incisions – provide faster healing and little to no scarring
• Shortened hospital stay, or even outpatient surgery
• Minimal blood loss – less chance a blood transfusion will be needed during surgery
• Less post-surgical pain – minimizes the length of time or need for pain medication
• Faster healing time – you will be back to your normal routine faster

MAKOplasty®

MAKOplasty® Partial Knee Resurfacing offers new treatment options for those living with painful early to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee, affecting only one or two components of the knee, and who prefer a less invasive surgery and more rapid recovery than total knee arthroplasty.

The entire procedure only requires a four to six inch incision over the knee. Tactile, intelligent robotic arm technology and three-dimensional visualization of the knee guides the surgeon in controlled resurfacing of the pre-defined area, saving as much of the patient’s healthy bone and surrounding tissue as possible.

Using CT scan data, the surgeon follows a three dimensional computer model of the patient’s pre-surgical plan. During the procedure, real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback facilitates ideal implant positioning and placement.

It is this level of planning and surgical accuracy in treating earlier stage knee osteoarthritis that can result in a more natural feeling knee and motion.

In many cases, patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car within two weeks and return to normal daily activities shortly thereafter.

What is MAKOplasty® Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is a procedure known as total hip replacement that is supported by the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System. This innovative solution was designed for patients who suffer from non-inflammatory or inflammatory degenerative joint disease. RIO® enables surgeons to achieve a new level of precision using the latest techniques in total hip replacement and is designed to restore patient mobility and active lifestyle.

RIO® robotic arm technology provides your surgeon a patient-specific 3-D model to pre-plan your hip replacement. During the procedure, tactile, visual, auditory feedback, and real-time data assists your surgeon in preparing the hip joint and placing the implants in the desired orientation with more accuracy.

If your surgeon determines that you are a good candidate for the MAKOplasty® procedure, he or she will schedule a computed tomography (CT) scan of your hip one or two weeks prior to your surgery date. This is used to create your unique surgical plan for optimal implant placement.

For more information, read the MAKOplasty FAQ » or learn more at MAKO Surgical Corp »

Find out more about our Orthopedic Center »

da Vinci® Surgical System

The da Vinci® Surgical System provides your surgeon with tremendous surgical accuracy utilizing high-definition 3D vision and a magnified operating view. Your doctor controls the da Vinci System, which translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside your body. Though it is often called a “robot,” da Vinci cannot act on its own: The surgery is performed entirely by your doctor.

Together, da Vinci technology allows your doctor to perform complex procedures through just a few tiny openings. As a result patients are often able to get back to their daily routines faster — without the usual recovery for traditional surgeries.

To date, the da Vinci System has been used successfully worldwide in hundreds of thousands of procedures.

For more information, read the da Vinci FAQ »

Patient Stories

Patricia Kuhner

Fifty-one-year-old Sebastian resident Patricia Kuhner chose Taryn Gallo, MD, to perform a robotic hysterectomy using the da Vinci System®.

"I was really having a hard time with heavy bleeding, so my doctor, Taryn Gallo, MD, suggested a robotic hysterectomy using the da Vinci System. It went very well − I was shocked that I only had little band-aids on my incisions after the procedure was over.

"I spent a couple of days in one of Sebastian River Medical Center's private patient suites, which was very comfortable. I didn't have any problems at all and was amazed at how quickly I recovered from the surgery. I was back to work within a few weeks.

"The procedure went smoothly and Dr. Gallo is awesome. She knows what she's talking about and is really nice and caring. Overall, I'm very happy with how everything turned out." 

Katherine Asaro

When 46-year-old Katherine Asaro learned that she needed a hysterectomy, she turned to Taryn Gallo, MD, for help.

"Dr. Gallo went over all of my options and allowed me to choose what I wanted to do. She said I was a good candidate for robotic surgery, so I decided to go with that.

"Right after the procedure, I had very minimal pain. In fact, the pain was almost non-existent. I felt better within five days and was able to do little things around the house. I'm very pleased with the outcome of my surgery, and the da Vinci System® is great − I definitely recommend it for those who qualify.

"Overall, I had a great experience. Dr. Gallo is awesome − I just can't say enough about her. She explains things thoroughly and is always there if you need her. She came to see me several times in the hospital and kept my family updated. I have recommended Dr. Gallo to many friends and co-workers. In fact, she now takes care of my daughter.

Rosie Murphy

When Rosie Murphy was diagnosed with cancer, thoracic surgeon Peter Seirafi, MD, performed a lobectomy utilizing Sebastian River Medical Center's da Vinci System®.

"I learned about the da Vinci System in an article in which Dr. Seirafi was highlighted. So when I discovered I had cancer, I contacted him to find out more about the robotic system and how it could help me. He was very careful, very thoughtful and very thorough in making sure I understood the differences between traditional surgery and robotic surgery.

"The da Vinci system is awe-inspiring. Even though I had major surgery and lost the lower portion of my lung, I got up the next day and walked to the car to go home. It was 'Star Trek medicine.' My recovery has been remarkable when you consider how invasive the traditional surgery would have been and how miniscule the invasion is with this kind of medical procedure. My husband had surgery last year and he has a huge scar across bottom of his rib cage. I have three little, tiny scars − that's it.

"Dr. Seirafi combines superb professionalism with great humanity. It is wonderful to work with him. He's clear, he answers all of your questions and he's thoughtful and caring. Dr. Seirafi understands that you have fear and concerns, but he gives you a feeling of confidence − not only in his professionalism, but also in his understanding of what you will be facing. Dr. Seirafi is there to help you accept those things and get on with your life."

Grace Kozelka

Sixty-six-year-old Grace Kozelka lost a mother, brother and sister to lung cancer, so she was not surprised when a chest x-ray showed something on her lungs.

"When I was diagnosed with carcinoma, I went to see Dr. Peter Seirafi. Because I needed surgery on both lungs, he recommended the da Vinci system, which I call 'the robot.'

"I had two surgeries two weeks apart, and I think I've done pretty darn good. I only spent one night in the hospital each time.

"Dr. Seirafi is one heck of a doctor and a wonderful person. His staff − especially Carol − is absolutely terrific. They were all so good to me. I'm moving to Leesburg soon, but I will continue to return to my doctors at Sebastian River Medical Center. I have complete faith in them."

Curt Lopresti

Curt Lopresti needed another lung biopsy, so his pulmonologist recommended Peter Seirafi, MD, and the da Vinci surgical system.

"I was told the robotic surgery would be much less invasive than the previous procedure I went through at the Mayo Clinic, and that I would recover faster.

"Dr. Seirafi took the time to really explain what he was going to do, what the risks were, and what the benefits were. He has a terrific bedside manner and is a true professional. I ended up with four one-inch incisions and recovered in one of the Sebastian River Medical Center's new private patient suites. Everything went smoothly − I was only in the hospital overnight.

"Dr. Seirafi and the staff at Sebastian River Medical Center are just as good as the staff at the Mayo Clinic. I had excellent care and was really impressed with them. I think they did an outstanding job − I would highly recommend Dr. Seirafi and Sebastian River Medical Center to anyone."

Robotic Surgery Videos

Here you can view videos that will help explain how common robotic surgery procedures are performed.

Dr. Peter A. Seirafi video
Thoracic Surgeon

This video provides an overview of Dr. Seirafi's background and his experience using the da Vinci surgical robot system. Dr. Seirafi's patients have outstanding results, including less post-operative pain.

View Sebastian River Medical Center's da Vinci surgical robot system in action while Drs. Domkowski, Seirafi, and Gallo talk about the benefits of robotic surgery for the surgeon as well as the patient.