Advanced Surgical Technology

For years, surgeons at Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi have performed minimally invasive surgery. Instead of making one large incision, surgeons make several small ones. Through these "keyholes," surgeons pass both a laparoscope – a video telescope that projects images on a monitor to guide the surgeon – and instruments to perform the surgery.

Kapi'olani's fully integrated minimally invasive surgical (MIS) suite – Leeward Oahu's first — takes these advances much further by giving surgeons the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Surgeons are now able to control a patient's table position and other features such as room lighting and monitors using a sophisticated voice activation system. The technology allows them to be more efficient and get the patient off the operating table and on the road to recovery more quickly than ever before.

Because MIS techniques disturb less muscle tissue and fewer nerves, there is less pain afterwards and patients recover more quickly. There are also cosmetic benefits with the much smaller incisions.

Initially used for arthroscopic procedures, such as knee repairs, laparoscopy is becoming the preferred procedure for surgeries such as colon resection, gastric bypass, hernia repairs, treatment for incontinence, hysterectomies, and orthopedics.

With telemedicine capabilities, surgeons from around the world can also observe and/or consult with Kapi'olani surgeons during procedures.