Berkshire Medical Center Invests in da Vinci System

PITTSFIELD — Enhancing an already robust minimally invasive surgical program, Berkshire Medical Center has invested in the da Vinci Surgical System, an advanced robotic surgical technology that can be used for a range of procedures in urology and gynecology surgery. The da Vinci System enables highly magnified visualization inside the body and greater precision, while making it easier for surgeons to operate using small incisions.

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 system enables surgeons at BMC to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision. This innovative technology features many patient benefits, including lower risk of infection and blood loss, significantly less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.

BMC has invested in the da Vinci Si HD system, and is the only hospital in Western Mass. to use the Si HD platform, which features advanced 3-D, high-definition visualization with up to 10 times magnification; EndoWrist instrumentation with dexterity and range of motion far greater than even the human hand; and Intuitive motion technology, which replicates the experience of open surgery by preserving natural eye-hand-instrument alignment and intuitive instrument control.

“Berkshire Health Systems has made significant investments in the past several years in its surgical services program, including state-of-the-art operating rooms and a wide range of minimally invasive procedures provided by an exceptional medical staff,” said David Phelps, president and CEO of BHS. “The addition of the da Vinci Surgical System continues that investment in our community. This advanced technology will allow us to provide the latest procedures for urology and gynecology care, with additional surgical applications on the horizon.”

The first surgical specialties to use the da Vinci Surgical System at BMC are gynecology and urology. Dr. Andrew Beckwith, an obstetrician/gynecologist on the BMC medical staff and a member of the Berkshire OB/GYN physician practice, will provide hysterectomies and other gynecologic procedures utilizing the robotic-assisted program.

In the coming months, BMC will expand its robotic surgical program to urology, where robotic surgery with the da Vinci System is considered the national standard of care for prostate surgery. Dr. Stephen St. Clair, division chief of Urology at BMC, will lead that program’s development, and will be joined later this year by a urological surgeon who has received extensive clinical training in the use of the da Vinci Surgical System.