Audrey Berkowitz
New da Vinci 5 Surgical System is a Game Changer for Patient’s Surgery at Broward Health Coral Springs
“I couldn’t be more pleased with my medical care,” Audrey said. “I expected to be in significant pain, but I was up and moving the same day and discharged with minimal discomfort. It’s truly not like the hysterectomies of past generations.”
Audrey was the first patient at Broward Health Coral Springs to undergo surgery using the hospital’s newly acquired da Vinci 5 Surgical System, a state-of-the-art robotic-assisted technology designed to enhance precision and improve patient outcomes. Her total hysterectomy, performed by Zoyla Almeida, M.D., an obstetrician-gynecologist with 3,000 robotic-assisted surgeries to her credit, was completed with extraordinary efficiency, allowing for a shorter recovery time and significantly less post-operative pain than traditional surgical methods.
Advancing Surgery with the da Vinci 5
“The addition of the da Vinci 5 is an important advancement for Broward Health Coral Springs as we continue to offer the most state-of-the-art technology for our patients,” said Dr. Almeida. “The system offers improved visualization and precision, as well as better integration for the surgical team. Real-time feedback and remote guidance capabilities also enhance training for future physicians.”
The da Vinci 5 system is designed for use across multiple specialties, including gynecology, urology and thoracic and general surgeries. Features include force feedback technology, allowing surgeons to feel the amount of force applied to tissue, reducing the risk of damage; optimized 3DHD visualization that provides sharper images and improved color accuracy for enhanced surgical precision; 10,000 times more computing power, enabling faster data processing and improved decision-making; ergonomic design to help reduce surgeon fatigue and enhance comfort during complex procedures; and a future-ready platform that ensures the system can integrate new advancements as they become available.
Audrey’s Medical Journey
When a dilation and curettage (D&C) revealed a proliferation of rapidly growing cells in her uterus, Audrey’s longtime gynecologist advised her to undergo a total hysterectomy and recommended Dr. Almeida to perform the surgery.
During Audrey’s surgery, Dr. Almeida utilized the new da Vinci 5, which led to a faster recovery time and less post-surgical pain for Audrey, who was amazed by how smoothly her recovery progressed. Unlike traditional hysterectomies, which often require weeks of rest and reliance on strong pain medication, Audrey only needed Tylenol to manage her discomfort.
“I’ve had three C-sections in my life, and I remember the pain vividly,” Audrey recalled. “This was completely different. I expected to be out of commission for weeks, but I was ready to return to work the next day. The nurses and doctors were incredible. They explained everything to me and made sure I was comfortable every step of the way.”
In fact, Audrey was discharged just hours after her procedure. She attributes her swift recovery not only to the advanced robotic technology but also to the exceptional care she received from the medical team at Broward Health Coral Springs.
“Every patient is different, and some surgeries are more extensive than others,” said Dr. Almeida. “While Broward Health Coral Springs offers enhanced recovery following surgery, enabling many patients to be discharged the same day, I tell my patients to listen to their bodies and spend the night in the hospital if they feel they need to.”
The addition of the da Vinci 5 is just the latest investment Broward Health Coral Springs has made that supports the highest level of patient care. This includes the recent acquisition of a new Affirm 3D stereotactic mammography unit, complete with a stereotactic biopsy attachment. Furthermore, the hospital has unveiled a newly built medical-surgical and step-down intermediate recovery unit on the fourth floor of the south tower. Additionally, the hospital has enhanced its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to achieve a Level III designation.
As for Audrey, she’s simply grateful for the opportunity to have undergone a procedure that allowed her to return to her daily life with minimal interruption. She hopes others considering surgery will look into robotic-assisted options for a smoother and less invasive experience.
“I would recommend this to anyone,” she said. “It’s truly amazing how far medicine has come.”
To learn more about robotic surgery at Broward Health, click below.