North Alabama Medical Center is proud to announce the
addition of a new robot to its multi-disciplinary robotic-assisted surgery program. The robot can be used
in a wide range of specialty services available at NAMC including general surgery, gynecology, urology
and hernia repair.
“North Alabama Medical Center is committed to providing exceptional patient care and to being the
leader in healthcare excellence and innovation,” shared Russell Pigg, Chief Executive Officer. “With the
addition of the Shoals’ most advanced surgical robot, we continue our commitment by providing
patients with the latest in minimally invasive treatment options.”
Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery during which surgeons use very small surgical
instruments that fit into a patient’s body through a series of tiny incisions. These instruments are
mounted on three robotic arms and a fourth arm holds a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and
tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist. At the console, a surgeon
uses finger, eye and foot controls to manipulate the arms of the robot allowing the surgeon maximum
range and precision of motion in performing an operation.
Dr. Wesley Desselle completed a hernia repair as the first surgery on the new robot on Monday, February 8th, 2021. The patient was able to go home the same day of the procedure.