By Robyn Darnell, FHW PR and Communications Coordinator
In the age of deepfakes and AI generated images, it’s often hard to tell where technology ends and humanity begins. At Family Health West, our mission is to make every patient’s day just a little bit better. We’re committed to providing the best care while using the most up-to-date technology possible. With the addition of our new General Surgery office comes robot assisted surgery by the Da Vinci 5 Surgical Robot.
For some, the phrase “robot assisted surgery” might feel cold and impersonal, but for Dr. Andrew J. Morse, DO, FACOS it means the opportunity to provide better patient care. Dr. Morse, a board-certified general surgeon, has been practicing medicine for 19 years and has recently joined the FHW team. His arrival brings a new level of care to Fruita, including general surgery services like appendectomies and gallbladder removal, weight management and bariatric services and vein clinic services.
“I love being here at Family Health West, because it feels like a family,” Dr Morse said. “We’re all on the same team, trying to do what’s best for the patient.”
Dr. Morse will be using a new Da Vinci 5 Surgical Robot for future robot assisted surgery procedures. The da Vinci 5 robot system, produced by Intuitive Surgical Inc., is an advanced robotic surgery system that allows for the most minimally invasive procedures possible. One key feature, the “Force Feedback,” provides a more realistic human sense of touch by allowing surgeons to feel the push and pull of tissue during procedures. Additionally, the 3D High-Definition Visualization magnifies the view of the surgical site and improves the surgeon’s view of details which might otherwise be hard to see.
“The Da Vinci 5 is the best, the most updated, the most upgraded.” Dr. Morse said. “There’s nothing better.”
So what can a patient expect from robot assisted surgery? In short, less pain and a faster recovery. During laparoscopic surgery, surgeons will use the patient’s abdominal wall to pivot the instruments, putting pressure on those tissues. With the assistance of the Da Vinci 5, there is less pressure on the tissues, resulting in a better overall experience for the patient.
For those who are still nervous about robot assisted surgery, it’s important to note that “assisted” is the key word. The Da Vinci 5 is just a tool used to perform better surgeries placed in the hands of a highly skilled surgeon. The FHW team is excited to pair these advanced surgical techniques with our exceptional care. “If I were having surgery, I would want to put the best tools in the hands of the surgeon, and in this case, the robot is that best tool,” Dr. Morse said.
If you’d like more information about general surgery at FHW, including a full list of services offered, please visit https://fhw.org/services/general-surgery/ or call the general surgery office at 970-200-1740.
