By: Robyn Darnell FHW PR and Communications Coordinator
Andrew J. Morse, DO, FACOS a board certified surgeon who has been practicing medicine for 19 years. He recently joined FHW as the head of the new general surgery team. General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on the abdomen and includes a broad range of services from colonoscopies to biopsies, vasectomies and gallbladder removal surgeries. Dr. Morse also specializes in varicose and spider vein treatments as well as weight management and bariatric services.
While performing surgeries, Dr. Morse is assisted by FHW’s da Vinci 5 Surgical Robot. 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.
From a surgical view, what are the main benefits of robot assisted surgery?
From my perspective, it gives me increased dexterity with the instruments. With the da Vinci 5 robot, I control the robotic arms that have a wrist on the end so I can get a more precise placement of the suture. With the 3D vision, we can also see better. It’s the best view you can get as a surgeon because everything’s magnified. Overall, it’s a more precise surgery with more precise dissection and more precise suturing.
What are the main benefits for patients?
From a patient standpoint, the benefits of the robot are less pain and a quicker recovery. With laparoscopic surgery, we use the patient’s abdominal wall to pivot the instruments which puts 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.
How does the da Vinci 5 rank against other surgical robots?
It is the best. There is no better system in the whole United States. It’s the most updated, the most upgraded. There’s nothing better.
What would you say to someone who’s nervous about undergoing robotic assisted surgery?
I understand that for many people it sounds scary. But if I were having surgery, I would want to put the best tools in the hands of the surgeon. The da Vinci 5 is the best tool. It’s the best option to complete the surgery more precisely, with greater skill, less pain and less risk of complications.
How does surgery at FHW differ from other hospitals?
This hospital aligns really well with my philosophy of taking care of patients. I feel like they’ve put the “care” back in “patient care.” I love the feel here at Family Health West, because it feels like a family, we’re all on the same team trying to do what’s best for the patient. The team as a whole puts the patient and the family first and in my opinion, many hospitals have kind of lost focus of that. Despite it being the smaller hospital, we are building a program that patients will want to come from all over the Western Slope and further to get their care here.
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.
