New robotic surgery system to replace VGH's retiring 'Jack'

Vancouver General Hospital is getting a new $4 million robot-assisted surgery system to conduct minimally invasive surgeries, which it sayshelpspeed patient recovery times.

The new system will replace the hospital's current robot system, nicknamed "Jack." It's retiring after10 years and more than 1,000 surgeries.

The new surgical system will feature a teaching console, 3D camera, and a bedside cart with four roboticarms.

One of the arms is used to position the camera, while others handle the surgical instruments, which are controlled by a surgeon making hand and foot movements at a console.

"There is no question that the patient experience with surgery is enhanced with the robot," said Dr. Peter Black, senior research scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre.

"There's less blood loss, it's less invasive, there's less pain, and there's a quicker recovery."

Black saidthe robotic technology can be used for prostate surgery, cardiovascular bypassesand hysterectomies.

Vancouver Coastal Health is purchasing the $4 million system with help fromprivate donations. It received a gift of $1 million from Hollyburn Properties and the Sander family.

The same group also donated another $1 million to upgrade the hospital'sMRI machine.

"Canada has been very good to me, and it's time for me to pay back,"said Stephen Sander, who immigrated to Canada 60 years ago from India.

The new robotic system is expected to be in place by the end of 2017.

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