da Vinci Surgical System at St. Anthony's

HSHS Medical Group’s comprehensive cancer care team includes specialists that embrace the latest technology for their patients. Dr. Iyoob Ilyas, MD, MS, MRCS, a colon and rectal surgeon at HSHS Medical Group Colorectal & General Surgery in Effingham, is one such specialist. “Dr. Iyoob,” as his patients refer to him, incorporates the latest technology for minimally invasive procedures with the da Vinci Surgical System, a cutting-edge robotic surgical system that is changing the world of surgery.

(DR. IYOOB ILYAS)

Providing comprehensive cancer care requires an all-inclusive team that can include a primary care provider as well as medical, radiation and surgical oncologists. When a patient completes a colonoscopy and other diagnostic blood tests and CT scans—and is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, for example—sometimes surgery can be a “best practice” component of the care plan, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), authors of the Cancer Staging Guide. Fortunately, patients now have access to this latest technology for minimally invasive procedures.

According to Dr. Iyoob, “When treating cancer, a physician has several tools in their toolbox, including radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. For patients who are good candidates for surgery, one option is the da Vinci Surgical System. This is a remarkable tool to perform a minimally invasive operation. Da Vinci helps make things that were not feasible with laparoscopic surgery feasible now. I can operate in what were once very challenging areas more comfortably with the latest technology available.”

With the da Vinci Surgical System, surgeons operate through just a few small incisions. The system features a magnified, 3D, high-definition vision system and tiny, wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. As a result of this innovative technology, surgeons can operate with enhanced vision, precision, and control. In addition to cancer surgeries, the technology is also useful in other surgeries, including various types of hernias, surgery for removal of gallbladder, and other general and gynecological procedures.

The da Vinci System represents the latest in surgical and robotics technologies. It translates a surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, more exact movements during the procedure, while keeping the surgeon completely in control of the technology at all times.

Dr. Iyoob says that the benefits for patients are significant. “Because the technology is minimally invasive, there are just small holes instead of large incisions. There is less pain, fewer complications and a faster recovery, too. This can mean an earlier return to your normal routine and life.”

Dr. Iyoob adds that while this technology is usually only available at larger hospitals or tertiary care centers, “We have made it available locally at Effingham at HSHS St. Anthony’s hospital. This means that patients and their families won’t have to travel a long distance for the care they need. It means a lot to the patient. It can mean a safer procedure, better outcome, and a better cancer cure. In the long-term, this translates into better cancer care for the communities we serve.”