HOUSTON – Robots are taking over Houston hospitals and most say it's for the better.
Robotic hands and 3D imaging are making surgery easier on surgeons and patients. Some patients are reporting less pain and less recovery time.
The Women's Hospital of Texas is the only hospital inside the loop to use a machine called the "da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System."
"It really reduces pain and I can tell you that because I had robotic surgery a few months ago," said the hospital's CEO, Linda Russell. "I had it on Thursday and was back at work Monday and never had any pain whatsoever."
Gynecologist Joyce Holz said the incisions are smaller too. "These are all 8 millimeter incisions instead of 10, 12 millimeter (incisions)."
The special wristed instruments, can bend and rotate better than the human wrist, which makes it easier for surgeons to see and gives them improved dexterity and control. This is a contrast to laparoscopic procedures where typical surgical instruments are only able to make back and forth movements, instead of rotating, which is more true to human form.
"You can get into the smaller spaces better, especially in the pelvis," Holz said.
After Russell's surgery, she says the result is less pain.
"It was done very, very easily and honestly y'all, I had zero pain so it was a very pleasant experience, as far as having surgery is!" Russell said.
Each generation of new technology makes things better for patients, and with machines like the one at the Women's Hospital, they're hoping to provide more surgical options for urology, thoracic and even heart surgery.
"We just wanted to keep our physicians having the latest technology and we can give the best service to our patients," Russell said.
Surgeons said robotic hands help them perform more efficient surgeries as well. Using robotic hands takes less of a physical toll on the surgeon's body because they can sit down and look upright during surgery instead of leaning over an operating table.
Some surgeries can be performed in about one hour with a hospital stay of 24 hours or less, according to the hospital.