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2025 Magnet® Redesignation Feedback

The Magnet® designation for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center is the pre-eminent recognition for hospital systems in the United States.

ChristianaCare Health System was designated as a Magnet organization in 2010, 2015, and 2020 by the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® and are now applying for redesignation.

We invite patients, family members, staff, and other interested parties to provide feedback via email or direct mail. For more information, please click here.

Robotic Thoracic Surgery

Robotic thoracic surgery is a revolutionary advancement in surgery

Robotic Thoracic Surgery

Robotic thoracic surgery is a revolutionary advancement in minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the lungs, esophagus, mediastinum and chest wall. The da Vinci® Xi robot is now used for a wide array of thoracic procedures at Christiana including wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, esophagectomy, hiatal hernia repair and first rib resection.

How is Robotic Surgery Performed?

Surgery is performed in a specially designed operating room. The surgeon controls all movements of the robot and the robot does not act autonomously. The robot's “wristed” instruments are guided by the surgeon allowing for unparalleled dexterity, precision, and control. Visualization of the surgery is provided by a 3-D/high-definition console.

The surgeon controls robotic instruments

Viewing the operation through a 3-D/high-definition console

Advantages of Robotic Thoracic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a major advance for thoracic surgeons. The da Vinci® Xi surgical robot operates through small incisions. The instruments rotate along pivot points at the chest wall, minimizing pressure on sensitive nerves which lessens post-operative pain and speeds recovery.

The da Vinci® Xi surgical robot offers 3-D/high-definition images, scalable motion, and seven degrees of freedom enabling surgical precision. The robotic instruments are an extension of the surgeon’s hands, providing him/her with the tools to perform intricate procedures in confined spaces.

The surgical set-up with the four robotic arms

Benefits for Patients

The benefits of robotic surgery are numerous and include:

Very small incisions - less scarring which leads to a faster recovery
Less blood loss – more precision allows for less blood loss and fewer blood transfusions
Less pain - the chest wall is a very sensitive area and robotic surgery reduces post-operative pain
Shorter hospital stay – faster recovery decreases hospitalization stay. In some cases, the patient can be discharged as soon as 1-2 days after surgery
More precise assessment of cancer - The da Vinci® Xi allows for a more thorough dissection of lymph nodes that is used to "stage" or determine the extent of the cancer. This information is critical to obtaining an accurate prognosis and guiding treatment decisions