"It was like something from Star Wars"

Cancer patient reflects on surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System

When Cathy McKenzie first saw the da Vinci Surgical System, she thought it looked like something from a movie. “It was so futuristic,” Cathy said. “It looked like the character R2D2 from the movie Star Wars.”

The 67-year-old Pickering resident was the first patient to receive gynaecological oncology surgery using the da Vinci Surgery System to treat uterine cancer. The system is a minimally invasive robotic tool that enables Lakeridge Health’s expert surgeons to provide safer procedures and more options for cancer patients, thanks to its technologically advanced capabilities.

Robotic-assisted surgery means smaller incisions, less blood loss, and a lower risk of infection for patients. With these innovations, patients also experience shorter stays in the hospital, faster recovery, and are back to the comforts of home sooner than ever before – something that was true for Cathy’s procedure.

“The staff and doctors introduced me to the machine and explained that there would be a human in the room, but the machine would do all of the work,” Cathy shared.

“It felt different to have a machine do the operation by itself, and it was quite surprising how well it went. I had a better recovery than other surgeries I’ve had where I was cut open by the surgeon. I also liked being able to go home the same day.”

Outside of the leading-edge technology she benefitted from, Cathy was also impressed to have an all-female team who conducted her procedure. “I wanted to scream ‘girl power’!”