Coney Island Hospital has received $2.6 million in city funding to acquire a state-of-the-art robotic surgical system that will minimize the invasiveness of a wide range of operations, the institution announced earlier this week.
The Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery system extends a surgeon’s control during laparoscopic surgeries allowing them to work in smaller, more precise movements resulting in less blood loss, shorter recovery times and smaller incisions, according to the hospital’s administration.
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island aims to deliver the state-of-the-art clinical care to the residents of South Brooklyn and beyond,” said the hospital’s chief executive office Svetlana Lipyanskaya. “The ability to provide robotic surgery will transform our patients’ experience with improved surgical outcomes, quicker patient recovery, and fewer complications.”
The hospital’s chief of urology, Dr. Abdo Kabaritti, agreed.
“We are very excited to be able to offer minimally invasive robotic surgery to our patients right here in South Brooklyn,” he said in a statement. “The ability to offer robotic surgery is a game-changer for our patients who stand to benefit from this state-of-the-art technology, through smaller incisions, a decrease in blood loss and transfusions, less postoperative pain, smaller scars, and a quicker recovery to normal activities.”
Local Councilman Mark Treyger advocated for funneling the city funds to the hospital’s purchase with support from City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, and he said the investment may help retain young talent at the southern Brooklyn hospital.
“The latest significant capital investment I secured for state-of-the-art robotic surgical equipment for NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island will expand on the critical services they provide every patient that they serve, and builds upon a greater vision for the hospital and our community,” Treyger said. “Additionally, hospital leadership strongly believes this investment will help attract and keep top medical talent for the hospital to provide excellent quality care for Southern Brooklyn residents.”
The new technology will be put to good use right away, according to hospital administrators, who said it is expected to assist in 300 surgeries in its first year.
