Essentia Health-Moose Lake now performing robot-assisted surgeries to improve patient outcomes BY ANTHONY MATT Essentia Health-Moose Lake is proud to offer surgeries with the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System, which enables robot-assisted surgeries that improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery times. Built on 20 years of experience, the Xi is Da Vinci's fourth-generation machine. Equipped with four movable arms, it operates as an extension of a surgeon's eyes and hands, allowing unobstructed access to the patient. Using a laser system, the robot is able to configure itself precisely, ensuring optimal surgery positions based on patients' needs. The surgeon then operates the machine with fine-tuned mechanics through an overhead console that allows for up-close access to every step of the procedure. "Being able to offer this technology to our community means keeping more complex surgeries closer to home for our patients, better patient outcomes and faster recovery times," said Dr. Samantha Leonard, a general surgeon and the chief of surgery at Essentia Health-Moose Lake. Dr. Samantha Leonard "This means that patients can be back on their feet and enjoying life to the fullest, sooner." The robotic approach has become a vital operative tool across almost all surgical specialties, including general surgery, colorectal surgery, gynecological surgery and urology. Essentia Health is committed to staying at the forefront of surgical expertise and has made robotic systems available across many of our locations in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Colonoscopies are also readily available at Essentia Health-Moose Lake. Dr. James Ryan, one of the newest general surgeons at Essentia Health-Moose Lake, says anyone 45 and older should consider a screening for colorectal cancer. If you have a family history of the disease, your screenings should start sooner. Catching it early is key and increases survival rates. Colonoscopies are the most effective screening method. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a fiber-optic scope with a camera is inserted into the colon to look for polyps and other growths, some of which can be removed at the same time. Dr. Ryan says most of the time the polyps that are removed are benign, but they can become cancerous. Regular screenings facilitate quick removal of polyps. "What we're learning about colon cancer has helped us decrease the risk of acquiring this disease, but through regular screening and preventive measures, the mortality rate is going down as well," said Dr. Ryan. "Catching cancer Dr. James Ryan early is paramount in being able to successfully treat it and have the best possible outcome." For more complex treatments that require the removal of portions of the colon, Essentia is able to use the da Vinci. "The da Vinci can perform dozens of different procedures for a variety of conditions," Dr. Ryan said. "This is just one example of how it's used to meet the health needs of our patients and help them get back to a healthy life quicker, and with fewer complications, than some surgical techniques that were used before." Essentia Health Essentia Health - Moose Lake now performing robot - assisted surgeries to improve patient outcomes BY ANTHONY MATT Essentia Health - Moose Lake is proud to offer surgeries with the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System , which enables robot - assisted surgeries that improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery times . Built on 20 years of experience , the Xi is Da Vinci's fourth - generation machine . Equipped with four movable arms , it operates as an extension of a surgeon's eyes and hands , allowing unobstructed access to the patient . Using a laser system , the robot is able to configure itself precisely , ensuring optimal surgery positions based on patients ' needs . The surgeon then operates the machine with fine - tuned mechanics through an overhead console that allows for up - close access to every step of the procedure . " Being able to offer this technology to our community means keeping more complex surgeries closer to home for our patients , better patient outcomes and faster recovery times , " said Dr. Samantha Leonard , a general surgeon and the chief of surgery at Essentia Health - Moose Lake . Dr. Samantha Leonard " This means that patients can be back on their feet and enjoying life to the fullest , sooner . " The robotic approach has become a vital operative tool across almost all surgical specialties , including general surgery , colorectal surgery , gynecological surgery and urology . Essentia Health is committed to staying at the forefront of surgical expertise and has made robotic systems available across many of our locations in northern Minnesota , Wisconsin and North Dakota . Colonoscopies are also readily available at Essentia Health - Moose Lake . Dr. James Ryan , one of the newest general surgeons at Essentia Health - Moose Lake , says anyone 45 and older should consider a screening for colorectal cancer . If you have a family history of the disease , your screenings should start sooner . Catching it early is key and increases survival rates . Colonoscopies are the most effective screening method . A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a fiber - optic scope with a camera is inserted into the colon to look for polyps and other growths , some of which can be removed at the same time . Dr. Ryan says most of the time the polyps that are removed are benign , but they can become cancerous . Regular screenings facilitate quick removal of polyps . " What we're learning about colon cancer has helped us decrease the risk of acquiring this disease , but through regular screening and preventive measures , the mortality rate is going down as well , " said Dr. Ryan . " Catching cancer Dr. James Ryan early is paramount in being able to successfully treat it and have the best possible outcome . " For more complex treatments that require the removal of portions of the colon , Essentia is able to use the da Vinci . " The da Vinci can perform dozens of different procedures for a variety of conditions , " Dr. Ryan said . " This is just one example of how it's used to meet the health needs of our patients and help them get back to a healthy life quicker , and with fewer complications , than some surgical techniques that were used before . " Essentia Health