Specialties & Conditions Robotic Surgery Program
Robotic Surgery Program
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is one of the only pediatric centers in the world that is home to a comprehensive robotic surgery program using the latest Intuitive Da Vinci surgical system. The robot allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with increased precision, dexterity and a magnified view. Surgeons use a sophisticated, computer-enhanced system to guide surgical tools in areas of the body where a surgeon’s hands would have limited mobility.
This approach often results in a quicker recovery and smaller incisions and post-surgery scars for the pediatric patient.
If robotic surgery is right for your child, your Lurie Children's care team will discuss the details and what to expect before, during and after the surgery. Learn more in the below video.
The Lurie Children’s Difference
Pediatric surgical specialists at Lurie Children’s have extra training in pediatrics and their chosen fields of medicine to help ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients. The hospital has received recognition as a Level I Children’s Surgery Center, demonstrating proficiency in surgical care at all levels. Lurie Children’s is one of 34 pediatric hospitals in the nation and the first in Illinois to have this designation.
The ability to offer robot-assisted surgery is another way Lurie Children’s surgical specialists’ expertise stands out.
Conditions We Treat
The Robotic Surgery Program is well-suited for procedures related to general & thoracic pediatric surgery, otolaryngology-ENT, urology and hepatobiliary surgery. Click here to learn more about robot use in urology.
Some procedures the robot is used at Lurie Children’s for include:
- Colorectal surgeries
- Inguinal hernia repair
- Gallbladder surgery
- Ventral hernia repair
- Mouth and throat surgeries
- Procedures related to the kidney or bladder
- Anti-reflux surgery
- Numerous urology-related conditions
Specialists
Pediatric Urology
Diana K. Bowen, MD
Attending Physician, Urology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Assistant Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Earl Y. Cheng, MD
Division Head, Urology; Co-Head, Reconstructive Pediatric Urology; Founders’ Board Chair in Urology; President, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
David I. Chu, MD, MSCE
Attending Physician, Urology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Assistant Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Edward M. Gong, MD
Attending Physician, Urology; Co-Director, Fetal Urology, The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Assistant Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Emilie K. Johnson, MD, MPH, FACS
Attending Physician, Urology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Associate Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Bruce W. Lindgren, MD
Director of Minimally Invasive Urological Surgery; Attending Physician, Urology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Dennis B. Liu, MD
Attending Physician, Urology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Assistant Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Derek J. Matoka, MD
Attending Physician, Urology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Associate Professor of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Catherine M. Seager, MD
Attending Physician, Urology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Assistant Professor of Urology (Pediatric Urology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Pediatric General & Thoracic Surgery
Seth D. Goldstein, MD, MPhil
Attending Physician, Pediatric Surgery; Director; Surgical Simulation Program, Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Timothy B. Lautz, MD
Interim Division Head, Pediatric Surgery; Director, Surgical Oncology; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Associate Professor of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Douglas R. Johnston, MD
Attending Physician, Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery; Director of Surgical Outreach Services - Silver Cross; Director of Surgical Services - Westchester; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
What to Expect
If robot-assisted surgery is right for your child, their care team will discuss the details of what this would involve, including what can be expected before, during and after the procedure.
Because the robot can be used for a wide spectrum of surgery, the details will vary for each procedure. Your surgeon and care team will ensure you and your family understand the specifics of the procedure your child needs, feel comfortable with the approach and have no unanswered questions.