The use of robotic-assisted surgery is becoming more commonplace as physicians and surgical patients are discovering benefits that include shorter hospital stays, less scarring, and faster recovery time. 

South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) introduced the da Vinci® Surgical System in 2010. The da Vinci® System is a robotic-assisted procedure that provides state-of-the-art minimally invasive options for a variety of surgeries including hysterectomies, endometriosis, pelvic pain, ovary removal, and hernia repair.

Surgical robots do not work independently; they are a highly-technical tool that is manipulated by the surgeon. During robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon makes a series of tiny incisions—approximately 2 centimeters in diameter—where the four robotic arms are inserted. One of the arms has a tiny video camera while the other three arms control miniaturized wristed instruments. The surgeon uses a computer console located within 10 feet of the operating table to control the robotic arms directly. The robotic system allows the surgeon better range of motion, improved manipulation, and access to areas of the body that are less invasive.  

Named for Renaissance inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci—who is often highly regarded for his technological ingenuity—the robot allows the surgeon to view a magnified, 3-D image of the inside of a patient’s body. Using the robotic arms, the surgeon can cut, dissect, and suture.

The powerful magnification of the da Vinci® robot allows earlier detection of bleeding and improved surgical dexterity, which provides precise vein ligation.  

SGMC affiliated Obstetrician/Gynecologist Alexander M. Culbreth, III, MD, has performed numerous gynecologic surgeries using the da Vinci® System. 

“When South Georgia Medical Center installed the robotic platform it became a great advantage for my patients,” said Culbreth. “I have seen patients get back to work sooner, have shorter hospital stays, and return to normal daily activities faster than using an open incision surgery.”

Dr. Culbreth explained that minimally invasive surgeries—laparoscopy and vaginal—have been used in gynecological procedures for several decades.  

“I have been very adaptive to using laparoscopic surgery, so the robot is really an adjunct procedure,” he said. “Before SGMC purchased the equipment, I would send patients to Jacksonville, especially those with cancer or difficult endometriosis cases. I noticed how great they did after surgery.” 

According to Dr. Culbreth, approximately 95 percent of the surgeries he performs are minimally invasive.

“Not all patients need the robotic technology laparoscopic or minimally invasive vaginal procedures,” said Dr. Culbreth. “Only 5 percent are open incision, compared to about 30 percent before the robotics procedure was available.” 

SGMC affiliated General Surgeon David K. Parker, MD, performs robotic-assisted hernia repair and component separation using the da Vinci® System.  

A hernia occurs when part of an organ or tissue in the body breaks through a weak spot in the wall of the stomach.  

The high-definition 3-D imaging within the da Vinci® System allows Dr. Parker to perform hernia repair with component separation with significantly smaller incisions (six 8mm incisions vs. one 20cm or larger incision with standard surgery) that diminish the amount of pain the patient experiences as well as the length of the hospital stay. 

“Using the da Vinci® System for inguinal and incisional hernias has revolutionized my approach to treating these complex problems,” Dr. Parker said. “The 3-D view is unbelievably clear allowing true depth perception in the abdomen. The wristed instruments allow me to use the da Vinci® robotic system like I am using my own hands inside the patient’s abdomen.”

Since the establishment of the da Vinci® Surgical Robotics Program at SGMC, the affiliated providers have received high praise from patients whose lives have been dramatically improved through the use of this new technology.  

“Patient outcomes have demonstrated the enhanced visualization, smaller incisions and greater precision da Vinci allows in helping patients recover faster and get back to routine activities sooner,” said SGMC Community Relations Director Laura Love. “Robotic-assisted surgery is a valuable tool to have in the operating room.” 

The SGMC da Vinci® robotic surgery team includes: 

Dr. Joe Clifton

Dr. Alexander Culbreth

Dr. Roy E. Swindle

Dr. Jerthitia Taylor Grate

Dr. Samuel Taylor

Dr. Bolan Woodward

Dr. David K. Parker

For more information on the da Vinci® Surgical System at SGMC, visit; https://www.sgmc.org/services/robotic_surgery

Some or all of the health care professionals performing services in this hospital are independent contractors and are not hospital agents or employees. Independent contractors are responsible for their own actions and the hospital shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any such independent contractors.