Wellstar Cobb Surgeons Perform Innovative Robot-Assisted Surgery

Last month, a surgical team at Austell's completed one of the area’s first single-incision robotic-assisted cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal).

Led by Harry Lightfoot Jr., M.D., a general surgeon in the WellStar Medical Group, the team removed the diseased gallbladder through an unnoticeable incision in the patient’s belly button. Traditional robotic surgery requires three or four small incisions.  

“To be one of the first hospitals in Atlanta to offer this procedure demonstrates our commitment to providing our patients with the best options for surgery,” said Kem Mullins, WellStar senior vice president and WellStar Cobb Hospital President.  “This innovative technology, combined with the skill and experience of our surgeons, means better results for our patients.”  

The gallbladder’s primary function is collecting and storing digestive fluid produced by the liver. Removal of the gallbladder can relieve pain and discomfort caused by gallstones, pebble-like deposits that form and disrupt the normal digestive process.  

Surgeons at WellStar Cobb Hospital use surgical robots to assist in a variety of procedures including gynecology, oncology, urology and general surgeries. The robotic system does not function independently. It is under the surgeon’s control at all times, but delivers better precision, maneuverability and vision.   

“This is another example of how we are using technology to perform less invasive and more effective surgeries that help patients to recover faster,” said Todd Oberle, M.D., a WellStar Cobb Hospital urologist who also utilizes the da Vinci Surgical System®.   

WellStar Health System performs more inpatient surgeries than any other health system in metro Atlanta. For more information about the robot-assisted surgeries offered at WellStar Cobb Hospital or WellStar Kennestone Hospital, please call 956-STAR or visit www.wellstar.org.  

The vision of WellStar Health System is to deliver world-class healthcare. WellStar, a not-for-profit health system, includes Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone, Paulding and Windy Hill hospitals;  WellStar Medical Group; Urgent Care Centers; Health Place; Homecare; Hospice; Atherton Place; Paulding Nursing Center; and WellStar Foundation.