Robotic-Assisted surgery is laparoscopic surgery performed and directed by the surgeon using precise, robotic instruments.  The surgery is completely controlled by the surgeon at all times. The doctor is in the room with you and has access to the patient as he always had with traditional surgery.  

The robot does not “do the operation”  as some people assume. With robotic surgery, the surgeon sits at a console and remotely operates the robotic arms with movements of his hands.  Every movement the surgeon makes, the robotic arms make, too.  The system replicates the surgeon’s movements in real time.  The surgeon is looking at the movements he is making on a 3-D, high definition screen.  This allows him to see things that before this new technology, he was unable to see

For patients, the potential benefits of robotic surgery include:

• Less trauma
• Less post-op pain and discomfort
• Decreased risk of infection
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less scarring
• Reduced blood loss
• Faster recovery

For the surgeon, the benefits of robotic surgery include greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization and improved access to the involved area.

When facing surgery, your primary concern should be determining which surgeon can give you the best chance for the best possible outcome. Your surgeon should be able to offer you the latest techniques available to allow you to return to your normal activities as soon as possible.   You must consider the most experienced and properly trained physician that produces good results. 

Dr. Marx is dedicated to using the most current, innovative techniques that technology can offer.  He did a laparoscopic fellowship after his medical training because he believed that dedicating  more time to learning new technology was more important than starting his practice right away.  Dr. Marx has been an advocate for the robotic technology to be used in Northeast Louisiana.  He was the first surgeon to be trained to use the robot in the area and has had very successful results using the technology.  He regularly  attends new lectures and workshops to stay on top of new and more efficient ways to operate.

Dr. Marx has performed over 1,300 robotic cases since he started utilizing the system in April of 2012.  He is a speaker for DaVinci Robotics,  giving presentation over a tri-state area.  He currently trains and proctors other surgeons in Robotics and routinely has other surgeons travel to observe his cases.

Robotic surgery is covered by most medical insurances, just as they cover laparoscopic surgery.  Often, it is less expensive for the patient because there is a shorter hospital stay than traditional surgery.  Please check with your individual insurance provider for more information. 

Technically speaking, there are thousands of operations that are being done using the robot across the world today.  From a general surgeon’s perspective, most abdominal surgeries can be performed robotically.  Other, less invasive surgery, such as skin lesion removal, breast, thyroid and parathyroid surgery is not. As a note though, technology is progressing at a rapid rate and new procedures are being  added daily to the list of surgeries done robotically. Every patient is unique and every surgery is accessed preoperatively for the benefits of the techniques that are used to perform it.  Yes, every patient has a choice in their healthcare and what techniques will be used.  This is thoroughly discussed prior to any procedure.