Robotic General Surgery

Find robot-assisted general surgery in San Diego

A doctor places her hand on a patient’s shoulder, representing compassionate, expert care at Scripps for robotic surgery.

Dr. Cheryl Olson, General Surgery, Scripps Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Program

Find robot-assisted general surgery in San Diego

If you have a medical condition that requires general surgery, you’ll find the ideal combination of expertise and technology at Scripps. We offer the latest minimally invasive options – including robotic surgery – that may reduce pain, complications and recovery time. 

Types of robotic general surgery at Scripps

Scripps robotic surgeons have more than a decade’s experience using the da Vinci Surgical System. We’ve treated thousands of patients with painful or life-threatening conditions, including hernias, gallstones, pancreatitis and colon cancer.

See how robotic surgery works

See how robotic surgery works

Scripps offers many minimally invasive robotic surgery options that may reduce pain, complications and recovery time.

Surgeries to treat or repair the digestive tract

To treat or repair the digestive track, Scripps has surgeons with the expertise required to perform a number of procedures, including:

Robotic colectomy

Colectomy is surgery to remove all (or part of) your colon. Colectomy surgery may be used to treat colorectal cancer, diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease.

Gastrectomy

This surgery removes all (or part of) your stomach. Gastrectomy may be performed on people with cancerous or benign (noncancerous) tumors, or to treat inflammation of the stomach lining.

Heller myotomy

Heller myotomy is a surgical treatment for achalasia. This esophageal disorder makes it difficult to swallow solids or liquids. A robotic Heller myotomy helps repair the sphincter muscles between your esophagus and stomach.

Nissen fundoplication

This surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reinforces the sphincter muscles between your esophagus and stomach, to reduce acid backup from the stomach into the esophagus.

Rectopexy

This procedure is a treatment to repair rectal prolapse. The condition causes tissue from your rectal wall to protrude through the anus.

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS)

This surgical procedure is a treatment for early rectal cancer and large rectal polyps.

Solid organ surgeries and hernia repair

Surgeons at Scripps also offer robotic surgery for a wide range of solid organ surgeries and hernia repair. Procedures include:

Solid organ surgeries

Robotic cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of your gallbladder. Scripps also offers single-site cholecystectomy. This advanced robotic procedure allows your surgeon to remove your gallbladder using a single tiny incision hidden in the navel. 


Adrenalectomy

This surgical procedure removes one or both of your adrenal glands. Located above each kidney, your adrenal glands produce hormones such as epinephrine, estrogen and cortisol. 


Liver and bile duct resection

Liver and bile duct resection surgery removes cancerous or benign (noncancerous) tumors from your liver or bile ducts. 


Pancreatectomy

Pancreatectomy surgery removes all (or part of) your pancreas. 


Splenectomy

Splenectomy surgery removes all (or part of) your spleen.

Hernia surgery

Scripps offers robotic hernia repair for people with incisional (ventral), hiatal and inguinal hernias. Not only can we repair the hernia without open surgery, we can significantly reduce the risk of hernia recurrence.

Benefits and risks of robotic general surgery

Despite a growing preference for minimally invasive procedures like robotic surgery, not everyone is a candidate. Your doctor will help you understand which surgical options are safest for you, based on your age, health and other factors. Scripps offers many other minimally invasive options, as well as traditional approaches that are more invasive, but have a long history of safety and efficacy.

Potential benefits

Compared to traditional surgery, robot-assisted general surgery may offer several benefits. These include: 


  • Reduced risk of complications, including surgical site infection
  • Less blood loss
  • Less pain, reducing the need for pain medication
  • Much smaller scars
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Quicker recovery

Potential risks

Like all surgery, robotic general surgery also has immediate or long-term risks. These include:


  • Complications such as surgical site infection 
  • Excessive bleeding 
  • Organ, tissue or nerve damage
  • Complications from anesthesia
  • Equipment failure